Posttraumatic Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms Among Children After Hurricane Katrina: A Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract

This study utilized Latent Profile Analysis to identify typologies of distress (i.e., patterns of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms) among children exposed to Hurricane Katrina. Outcomes and risk factors for these pattern groups were examined. Participants were children (n = 353; ages 8–15 years) affected by Hurricane Katrina. Children were assessed at 3 – 7 months (Time 1) and 14 – 17 months (Time 2) post-Katrina. Results identified three pattern groups (No Disturbance, PTS Only, and Mixed Internalizing) at Time 1. Children in the No Disturbance group reported the lowest levels of internal distress, while the Mixed Internalizing group reported the highest levels of internal distress at Time 2. The Mixed Internalizing and the PTS Only groups reported greater school problems than the No Disturbance group at Time 2. Perceived life threat and community violence exposure were risk factors associated with higher likelihood of falling in the PTS Only and Mixed Internalizing groups, compared to the No Disturbance group. Immediate loss and disruption was also a risk factor associated with a higher likelihood of falling in the PTS Only group, compared to the No Disturbance group. Finally, social support from parents or a classmate/friend was a significant protective factor associated with a lower likelihood of falling into a symptomatic pattern group.

The relationship between social support and posttraumatic stress symptoms among youth exposed to a natural disaster

“…Hurricane Katrina caused an estimated 1500 deaths and US$108 billion damage (Knabb et al, 2005). Participants in the present study were part of a larger multi-wave, longitudinal study investigating the psychological impact of Hurricane Katrina on mothers and their children (Kelley et al, 2010; Lai et al, 2015a, 2015b; Lai, Auslander, Fitzpatrick, & Podkowirow, 2014; Self-Brown, Lai, Thompson, McGill, & Kelley, 2013). …”

“…Scores collected from the children at Wave 1 were used in the analysis. This measure has been used in previous investigations to assess disaster exposure in children (La Greca et al, 2010; Lai et al, 2015a, 2015b; Lai, La Greca, Auslander, & Short, 2013). …”

“…A large body of literature documents that children exposed to disasters are at risk for developing mental health symptoms (Dogan, 2011; Lai, Alisic, Lewis, & Ronan, 2016; Lai, La Greca, & Llabre, 2014). Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are the primary presenting mental health problem among children after disasters (Dyregrov & Yule, 2006; Furr, Comer, Edmunds, & Kendall, 2010; Lai, Kelley, Harrison, Thompson, & Self-Brown, 2015b; Ponnamperuma & Nicolson, 2016). More research is needed that addresses how to mitigate the mental health consequences of disasters for children.…”

Long-term health of children following the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption: a prospective cohort study

“…Previous findings have indicated an association between PTSD and other psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression (Fan et al, 2011; Goenjian et al, 2011; Lai et al, 2015, 2013), higher risks of behavioural problems, substance abuse and sleep disturbance (Pfefferbaum et al, 2015; Usami et al, 2013). This further highlights the importance of studying more diverse symptoms, particularly psychosomatic symptoms.…”

“…The majority of studies on children’s well-being following natural disasters have focused on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Bokszczanin, 2007; Catani, Jacob, Schauer, Kohila, & Neuner, 2008; Fan, Zhang, Yang, Mo, & Liu, 2011; Goenjian et al, 2011; John, Russell, & Russell, 2007; Lai, Kelley, Harrison, Thompson, & Self-Brown, 2015; Self-Brown, Lai, Thompson, McGill, & Kelley, 2013; Stanke, Murray, Amlot, Nurse, & Williams, 2012). Depression and anxiety have also been reported among children post-disaster, and are often comorbid with PTSD (La Greca, Silverman, Lai, & Jaccard, 2010; Lai, La Greca, Auslander, & Short, 2013; Swenson et al, 1996).…”