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Article
Hurricane Andrew: Psychological Distress among Shelter Victims
International Journal of Stress Management (1995)
  • David N. Sattler, Western Washington University
  • Jerome M Sattler
  • Charles F. Kaiser
  • Beverly A. Hamby
  • Mary G. Adams
  • Laura Love
  • Jacqueline Winkler
  • Claudia Abu-Ukkaz
  • Barrett Watts
  • Ann Beatty
Abstract
This study examined psychological distress and functioning among Hurricane Andrew victims who lost their homes and were living in shelters. Four and one-half weeks after Hurricane Andrew struck southern Florida, 89 (45 males, 44 females) Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire asked for information about psychological and psychophysiological symptoms, use of mental health services, coping responses, and extent of preparation for the storm. The findings suggest that loss of home and property were related to distress and depression. About one-quarter of the sample were moderately depressed. Over one-third of the sample reported experiencing psychological and psychophysiological distress. Approximately one-half of the subjects did not take the hurricane warnings seriously. White subjects began preparing earlier for the storm, and evacuated their homes more frequently than did Black subjects. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.
Keywords
  • Disaster,
  • Psychological distress,
  • Depression,
  • Coping
Disciplines
Publication Date
July, 1995
DOI
10.1007/BF01740299
Citation Information
David N. Sattler, Jerome M Sattler, Charles F. Kaiser, Beverly A. Hamby, et al.. "Hurricane Andrew: Psychological Distress among Shelter Victims" International Journal of Stress Management Vol. 2 Iss. 3 (1995) p. 133 - 143
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david-sattler/34/