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Abstract
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INTRODUCTION: The aftereffects of Hurricane Maria have been devastating to Puerto Ricans already overburdened by environmental fluctuations due to climate change, poverty, and government infrastructure in crisis. The hurricane contributed to the loss of housing, power, family and friends, and sense of security. This study aimed to identify the predictors of Puerto Ricans' perceived stress changes and mental health as self-reported after Hurricane Maria.
Methods: Data collected by Kaiser Foundation-Washington Post in 2018 were obtained and analyzed using SAS v9.4 complex survey procedures. After the population weight was applied, multinomial logistic regressions were employed to identify predictors of participants' perceived stress changes and self-reported level of mental health.
Results: Those whose general stress level was reported as worse after Hurricane Maria were more likely to have reported having generally poor mental health (OR 20.67; 95% CI 95% 8.60-49.69) and to have been impacted by the hurricane in various ways (OR 1.85; 95% [1.21, 2.85]).Those who reported their general level of mental health as poor were more likely to report their general stress level as worse (OR 10.54; 95% CI [4.06-27.37]), and reported having to leave or evacuate as a result of Hurricane Maria (OR 2.44; 95% CI [1.20-5.65]).
Discussion: A significant effect was shown for those who reported worse stress levels than those with better stress levels after the hurricane, and for those who reported good, fair, or poor general mental health.
Conclusion: Owing to the impact of environmental disaster and current pandemic crisis on Puerto Rican citizens, it is imperative for both local and federal governments to enact plans to lessen resident mental health burden to reassure and facilitate access to mental health services after natural disasters.
Language: en |