YOUNGER AND OLDER ADULTS PERCEPTIONS OF STRESSORS AFTER A FLOOD

Abstract

Abstract 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.