Citation

Lowe SR, Young MN, Acosta JD, Sampson L, Gruebner O, Galea S. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2018; 12(6): 711-717.

Affiliation

3Department of Epidemiology,Boston University School of Public Health,Boston,Massachusetts.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2017.148

PMID

29458452

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine factors associated with receipt of post-disaster support from network (eg, family or friends) and non-network (eg, government agencies) sources.

METHODS: Participants (n=409) were from a population-based sample of Hurricane Sandy survivors surveyed 25-28 months post-disaster. Survivors were asked to imagine a future disaster and indicate how much they would depend on network and non-network sources of support. In addition, they reported on demographic characteristics, disaster-related exposure, post-traumatic stress, and depression. Information on the economic and social resources in survivors' communities was also collected.

RESULTS: Multilevel multivariable regression models found that lack of insurance coverage and residence in a neighborhood wherein more persons lived alone were associated with survivors anticipating less network and non-network support. In addition, being married or cohabiting was significantly associated with more anticipated network support, whereas older age and having a high school education or less were significantly associated with less anticipated network support.

CONCLUSIONS: By having survivors anticipate a future disaster scenario, this study provides insight into predictors of post-disaster receipt of network and non-network support. Further research is needed to examine how these findings correspond to survivors' received support in the aftermath of future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;page 1 of 7).

Language: en

Keywords

Hurricane Sandy; natural disasters; social networks; social support