Association between adverse experiences during Hurricane María and mental and emotional distress among adults in Puerto Rico

• Authors: Andrea Lopez-Cepero, Emory University; June H O'Neill, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Abrania Marrero, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Luis M Falcon, University of Massachusetts; Martha Tamez, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; José F Rodríguez-Orengo, FDI Clinical Research of Puerto Rico; Josiemer Mattei, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Journal Title: SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Volume: Volume 57, Number 12
• Publisher: Springer Verlag | 2022-09-01, Pages 2423-2432
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02355-2
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Nutrition; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Hurricane Maria; Depression; Anxiety; PTSD; Puerto Rico

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the association between adverse experiences during Hurricane María and mental and emotional distress in Puerto Rico. Methods This cross-sectional study used baseline data from adult (30–75 years) participants of the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT). Enrolled individuals prior to COVID-19 who completed a 33-item questionnaire on Hurricane María-related experiences (sub-categorized as personal, service, or property losses), depression symptomatology, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety were included for analysis (n = 456). Results Most participants experienced fear for their family's safety, damage to their home and personal items, communication outages, and water shortages. Each additional stressor was significantly associated with higher odds of depression symptoms, PTSD, and anxiety. Personal losses were significantly associated with higher likelihood of all outcomes, while services losses were associated with depression symptoms and anxiety; property loss was not significantly associated with any outcome. Conclusions Adverse experiences during a major natural disaster are associated with mental and emotional distress. Strategies to minimize hardships during natural disasters, especially personal and service losses, are essential to preserve mental health. Post-disaster psychological support to individuals is crucial.