Coping Strategies and Psychological Symptoms Among Children on St. Thomas in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria

This study examined the psychological functioning of 108 children and adolescents (69.7% Black, Non ‐Hispanic; 56.5% female;M age = 11.59 years,SD = 2.43) in Grades 3 –12 as measured 3 months after experiencing Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the island of St. Thomas. Participants completed electronic questionnaires about their demographic characteristics, hurricane exposure (i.e., perceived life‐threat, life‐threatening events, loss/disruption after hurricane s), coping strategies utilized, and their psychological functioning (i.e., PTS, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms). A principal component analysis of the coping items determined four coping factors: primary control, secondary control, disengagement, and negative coping. Linear regressions, i ncluding children's age and aspects of hurricane exposure, found primary control coping was positively associated with PTS symptoms, β = .18, whereas secondary control coping was negatively associated with PTS and externalizing symptoms, βs = −.17 and −.19, respectively. Negative coping, but n ot disengagement coping, was positively associated with all three outcomes, βs = .31–.42. These findings suggest positive ways children can cope after experiencing a hurricane, informing possible early intervention efforts.

Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress - December 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Laura D. Pittman, Nicolette L. Cutright, Lauren McNeela, Samantha Awada, Jacqueline M. Pabis, Kristina Kochanova, Elizabeth Shelleby Tags: Research Article Source Type: research