Vulnerable, But Why? Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Older Adults Exposed to Hurricane Sandy

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison R. Heid ◽  
Zachary Christman ◽  
Rachel Pruchno ◽  
Francine P. Cartwright ◽  
Maureen Wilson-Genderson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Group Status ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractObjectiveDrawing on pre-disaster, peri-disaster, and post-disaster data, this study examined factors associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in older adults exposed to Hurricane Sandy.MethodsWe used a sample of older participants matched by gender, exposure, and geographic region (N=88, mean age=59.83 years) in which one group reported clinically significant levels of PTSD symptoms and the other did not. We conducted t-tests, chi-square tests, and exact logistic regressions to examine differences in pre-disaster characteristics and peri-disaster experiences.ResultsOlder adults who experienced PTSD symptoms reported lower levels of income, positive affect, subjective health, and social support and were less likely to be working 4 to 6 years before Hurricane Sandy than were people not experiencing PTSD symptoms. Those developing PTSD symptoms reported more depressive symptoms, negative affect, functional disability, chronic health conditions, and pain before Sandy and greater distress and feelings of danger during Hurricane Sandy. Exact logistic regression revealed independent effects of preexisting chronic health conditions and feelings of distress during Hurricane Sandy in predicting PTSD group status.ConclusionsOur findings indicated that because vulnerable adults can be identified before disaster strikes, the opportunity to mitigate disaster-related PTSD exists through identification and resource programs that target population subgroups. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:362–370)

scholarly journals Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Health Problems Among Medically Ill Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Don Richardson ◽  
Jordan Pekevski ◽  
Jon D. Elhai
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problems ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Significant Health ◽  
Ptsd Severity

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and four significant health conditions (gastrointestinal disorders, musculoskeletal problems, headaches, and cardiovascular problems). Method: Participants included 707 Canadian peacekeeping veterans with service-related disabilities, from a random, national Canadian survey, who had been deployed overseas. Results: PTSD severity was significantly related to gastrointestinal disorders, musculoskeletal problems, and headaches, but not to cardiovascular problems. Controlling for demographic factors did not affect PTSD's relationships with the three significant health conditions. Conclusions: The present study supports previous work in finding consistent relations between PTSD severity and specific types of medical problems.

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