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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Larry Kreuger, PhD1, John J. Stretch, PhD2, Leigh E Tenkku, MPH3, and Cynthia L. Cook, PhD2. (1) School of Social Work, University of Missouri-Columbia, 711 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, (2) School of Social Service, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, (3) Community and Family Medicine, Saint Louis University, 1420 Grand Avenue, Donco Building, St. Louis, MO 63104, 314-268-7650, KreugerL@missouri.edu
A study was designed to identify factors correlated with likelihood of long term elevated anxiety and/or depression in child and adolescent victims of a natural disaster using logistical regression analysis. Data were obtained from 18 Catholic schools in the Midwest with a population of almost 3000 children who were screened on-site to determine the residual effects on their ability to cope successfully with the disaster event. The dependent variable involved differences between children who were found to have elevated anxiety (as measured by the RCMAS or depression (CDI), or both and compared to those who had neither. Chi square tests of independence or Student t tests were conducted in the initial analysis dependent upon the nature of the variable. Results: The odds of long term elevated anxiety or depression was highest with over a two-fold risk (OR=2.2, CI=1.1,4.5) for those who reported any illness in the family, including themselves followed by an almost two-fold risk (OR=1.9, CI=1.1,3.2) for long term elevated anxiety or depression in cases where the family had to vacate their home due to the disaster. Implications for clinical treatment and better disaster preparedness are discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Disasters
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.