Characterizing the psychological distress of treatment-seeking youth and adults impacted by Hurricane Harvey

Abstract

Hurricane Harvey was one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, resulting in widespread flooding and property damage in the greater Houston-metropolitan area. This study aims to characterize a group of treatment-seeking youth and adults up to 2.5 years following Hurricane Harvey. A total of 154 children, 165 adolescents, and 531 adults who presented to publicly-funded mental health services were assessed on demographics, depressive and anxiety symptomatology, and hurricane impact. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, family/social support, time since the hurricane, and hurricane impact were examined as correlates of depressive and anxiety symptoms at treatment initiation. Overall, participants presented with elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms to the clinic. Greater hurricane impact was correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in adults and adolescents, but not in children. In addition, poorer family/social support was linked to greater anxiety in children and higher depression scores in children and adolescents. Adolescent females had higher anxiety and depression than adolescent males. Days since Harvey and anxiety symptoms were negatively associated for adults. Clinical and research implications for psychological distress in the medium-to-long-term post-natural disaster period are discussed.

Keywords

• hurricane
• Mental health
• Natural disaster
• Post-natural disaster period