In the aftermath: The effects of hurricanes Harvey and Maria on the well-being of health-care and social service providers.

Abstract

Health-care and social service providers affected by climate-related disasters play a pivotal role in response and recovery but yet are at a disproportionate risk for mental health symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), secondary traumatic stress, anxiety, and burnout. Factors such as social support and resilience may protect these providers from stress related symptoms. To explore providers' responses to recent disasters, this study examined mental health distress, work-related stress, and protective factors in Texas and Puerto Rico-both of which were struck by hurricanes in 2017. This study was conducted with N ϭ 1,101 health-care and social service providers 10 to 12 months after hurricanes Harvey and Maria. Providers completed measures of PTSD, anxiety, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction, social support, and resilience. Frequencies were calculated to determine percentages of those who scored above the clinical cutoff for mental health symptoms. One-way analyses of variance explored differences in mental health symptoms between Texas and Puerto Rico. Bivariate correlations examined the relationships between all measures. Puerto Rican participants scored significantly higher on measures of PTSD, anxiety, and compassion satisfaction. Participants in Texas reported significantly higher burnout and resilience. Measures of PTSD, anxiety, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress were positively correlated. Social support, resilience, and compassion satisfaction were inversely correlated with measures of distress. Findings confirm high rates of mental health distress among providers during the disaster recovery. Given our findings, it is critical for accessible, evidence-informed interventions be available for providers.

Social support, religious coping, and traumatic stress among Hurricane Katrina survivors of southern Mississippi: A sequential mediational model.

“…Social support has been shown to be predictive of improved mental health outcomes as well as reduced posttraumatic symptoms among veterans and survivors of disasters, whether the traumatic event takes the form or natural disasters or events such as war or assault (Pittman et al, 2020; Smith et al, 2014; Wilks et al, 2019). For example, within the context of traumatic stress from hurricanes, social support has also been found to be correlated with resilience and compassion satisfaction while being inversely related to burnout and anxiety (Powell et al, 2020). Rather than facing the difficulties associated with trauma alone, one can reduce the burdens, responsibilities, and stresses by receiving help, comfort, materials, or spiritual care.…”

“…Individuals exposed to disasters may experience mental health consequences such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), grief, depression, anxiety, stress-related health problems, increased substance abuse, and suicidal ideation (Bonanno et al 2010; Long et al, 2020), but these outcomes are not just limited to survivors of the trauma itself. They can extend to health-care workers who provide aid to those affected (Powell, 2020). PTSD, in particular, is a common consequence of disasters (Bistricky et al, 2019; Neria et al, 2008).…”

Assessing the Emergency Response Role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) Serving People with Disabilities and Older Adults in Puerto Rico Post-Hurricane María and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Given our findings, we would add that it is necessary to include the professionals and service providers involved in recovery efforts. Previous research discusses the need for health care and social service providers, but these efforts must incorporate those working specifically in nonprofit organizations or non-governmental agencies which may take on as much or more disaster relief during a disaster than government agencies [ 53 ].…”

Well-being disparities during the COVID-19 outbreak: Evidence from Malta.

“…Following floods, a negative impact was observed on self-reported life satisfaction in 16 European countries (Luechinger & Raschky, 2009). More recently, following Hurricanes Harvey and Maria in Texas and Puerto Rico, Powell et al (2020) reported high levels of mental distress among health-care and social service workers. But the findings are not unequivocal.…”