In August of 2016, historic flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana resulted in catastrophic damages and claimed 13 lives. This study is part of a larger research program on post-flood health and well-being across the adult lifespan. Participants (n=223, age range: 18-88 years) were tested during the immediate impact phase (Wave 1) and most participated in a follow-up assessment 9 (+/- 3) months later (Wave 2). In this study, we compared participants’ narrative responses to an open-ended question at Wave 2 concerning the most stressful aspect of the 2016 flood. We hypothesized that older flood survivors would report stressors related to rebuilding and financial loss more often than younger survivors based on the Conservation of Resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989). Three groups were compared: non-flooded (controls), single disaster (flooded in 2016) and double disaster (flooded in 2005 and again in 2016). To create younger and older comparison groups, age was split at the median with sample sizes that ranged from 28 to 34 younger and older participants within each flood exposure group. Content analyses of responses by independent coders blind to the purpose of the study revealed that older flood victims reported greater stressors related to rebuilding flood-damaged homes and financial stressors than did their younger counterparts. In contrast, younger flood victims were more likely to report childcare issues and being displaced from their homes as stressors compared to the older victims. Implications of these data for understanding age-related vulnerabilities after severe weather events are discussed.
widespread flooding occurred across south Louisiana a decade after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast. In this study, we examined self-reported flood stressors among adults who varied in current and prior severe weather experiences (M age = 50.2 years, age range 19-89 years). All responded to an open-ended question that assessed the most stressful aspect of the 2016 flood. Narrative responses from three flood exposure groups were compared: (a) nonflooded controls; (b) single disaster adults with 2016 flood damage to homes and property, and (c) double disaster adults who permanently relocated inland because of catastrophic losses in the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and flooded in 2016.To permit inferences about age-related differences in self-perceived flood stressors, age was split at the median within each flood exposure group. Content analyses of the narrative responses yielded three core themes: (a) Immediate impact and flood-related destruction; (b) Friends, neighbors, and family lend a helping hand; and (c) Lingering consequences of flood-related damage. Flood stressors were similar for the younger and older cohorts across the first two themes. Age-related differences in responses were more salient and frequent in the third theme. The older cohorts described more financial worries over mounting debt due to costly repairs of flooded homes than did the younger cohort. For older adults with prior catastrophic losses, both the financial and material impacts of the 2016 flood were significant stressors. Implications of these data for understanding age-related vulnerabilities after severe weather events are discussed.
In 2016, catastrophic flooding in south Louisiana claimed 13 lives with billions of dollars in damage to homes and communities in the decade after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the US Gulf Coast. In this study, we tested the inoculation hypothesis which predicts that older adults will be less distressed than younger adults due to their prior experience with severe weather events. Participants were 218 predominately middle-aged and older adults who varied in current and prior flood experience: less than half (40%) did not flood in 2016, 31% had flood damage, and 29% had relocated permanently inland after catastrophic losses in the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and they flooded again in 2016. Depression symptoms were assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Emotion regulation strategies were measured using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short Form. Results indicated that the older adults had fewer symptoms of depression and were less likely to report self blame for flood-related adversities compared to younger adults. The two age groups did not differ significantly on the emotion regulation strategies of acceptance, reappraisal, positive refocusing, other blame, and perseveration. Age was inversely associated with symptoms of depression and the maladaptive strategies of self blame for flood-related misfortune and perseveration over losses. These data support the inoculation hypothesis and suggest that prior severe weather experiences, which are likely for older adults living in hurricane prone areas, are important for post-flood resilience. Implications of these findings for disaster planning and age-sensitive interventions to mitigate adversity are considered.
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