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Investigation of Psychometric Properties and Correlation with Psychological Distress after Hurricane Hazards in Puerto Rico

Author

Listed:
  • Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA)

  • Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa

    (School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico
    Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Lianel P. Rosario

    (School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico
    Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Cristina Peña-Vargas

    (School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico
    Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Zindie Rodríguez-Castro

    (Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Idhaliz Flores

    (Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico
    School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Francisco Cartujano-Barrera

    (Department of Public Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA)

  • Rosario Costas-Muñíz

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA)

  • Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali

    (School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico
    Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Estefania Torres-Marrero

    (School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Ernesto Rosario-Hernández

    (School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Heather Jim

    (Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA)

  • Guillermo N. Armaiz-Pena

    (School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

  • Eida M. Castro-Figueroa

    (School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico
    Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico)

Abstract

Background: Puerto Rico (PR) is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, which severely impact cancer survivors by causing healthcare disruptions and increasing stress. This study investigates the reliability and factor structure of the Hurricane Hazards Inventory (HHI) and its relationship with psychological distress among cancer survivors and non-cancer controls in PR. Methods: Using secondary data from a longitudinal study following Hurricane Maria (HM), the baseline assessment included sociodemographic data from participants, HHI, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: Among 260 participants, 78.7% were women, with a median age of 58.0 years. EFA reduced the HHI to 17 items grouped into three factors explaining 62.6% of the variance with excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.91). The three factors also showed good to excellent reliability (alpha 0.81 to 0.92). The median HHI score was 11.0 (range 4.0–26.5) out of 68. PLS-SEM revealed a direct effect of being a cancer survivor and tertiary hazards on depression and anxiety. Conclusion: The HHI is a valid and reliable tool for assessing mental health impact in cancer survivors after hurricanes. However, the study had limitations, including its small sample size and lack of control for all confounding variables. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to further validate the HHI and examine its generalizability.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres & Mary Rodríguez-Rabassa & Lianel P. Rosario & Cristina Peña-Vargas & Zindie Rodríguez-Castro & Idhaliz Flores & Francisco Cartujano-Barrera & Rosario Costas-Muñíz & Nelmit , 2024. "Investigation of Psychometric Properties and Correlation with Psychological Distress after Hurricane Hazards in Puerto Rico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:10:p:1267-:d:1484828
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Woodward, A.J. & Samet, J.M., 2018. "Climate change, hurricanes, and health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 108(1), pages 33-35.
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