Abstract
Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern coast of the United States in October 2012, causing billions of dollars in damage and acute physical and mental health problems. The long-term mental health consequences of the storm and their predictors have not been studied. New York City and Long Island residents completed questionnaires regarding their initial Hurricane Sandy exposure and mental health symptoms at baseline and 1 year later (N = 130). There were statistically significant decreases in anxiety scores (mean difference = −0.33, p < 0.01) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores (mean difference = −1.98, p = 0.001) between baseline and follow-up. Experiencing a combination of personal and property damage was positively associated with long-term PTSD symptoms (ORadj 1.2, 95% CI [1.1–1.4]) but not with anxiety or depression. Having anxiety, depression, or PTSD at baseline was a significant predictor of persistent anxiety (ORadj 2.8 95% CI [1.1–6.8], depression (ORadj 7.4 95% CI [2.3–24.1) and PTSD (ORadj 4.1 95% CI [1.1–14.6]) at follow-up. Exposure to Hurricane Sandy has an impact on PTSD symptoms that persists over time. Given the likelihood of more frequent and intense hurricanes due to climate change, future hurricane recovery efforts must consider the long-term effects of hurricane exposure on mental health, especially on PTSD, when providing appropriate assistance and treatment.
Highlights
On 29 October 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit the Eastern Seaboard causing an estimated 71 billion dollars in damage [1], displacing 20,000 individuals from their homes, and directly causing the deaths of 117 people [2]
It is generally accepted that increased exposure to traumas are associated with increased stress and negative mental health outcomes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [5,6,7,8], the social, environmental, and economic factors that exacerbate or mitigate these outcomes are not well understood
There was no significant association between demographic variables and changes in anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores between baseline and follow-up
Summary
On 29 October 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit the Eastern Seaboard causing an estimated 71 billion dollars in damage [1], displacing 20,000 individuals from their homes, and directly causing the deaths of 117 people [2]. Hurricane Sandy created a host of new hazards and challenges for those returning to their homes including limited access to gasoline, difficulty traveling due to the closure of and damage to the New York City subway system [3], and increased exposure to mold and other environmental toxins [4]. Most research has focused on the immediate aftermath of the disaster, while few studies have examined the long-term impact on mental health outcomes. Research on Hurricane Katrina indicated that those with increased levels of exposure experienced worse mental and physical health at least one year after the disaster [9]. The number of stressors decreased over time among those exposed to Katrina, the psychological effects of those
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
