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Psychological Associations of Multiple Disasters: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents in Puerto Rico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2025

Ligia M. Chavez Open the ORCID record for Ligia M. Chavez [Opens in a new window] ,
Pedro A. García ,
Jim P. Stimpson ,
Keilyn M. Vale Lassalle ,
Janet T. Saumell-Rivera  and
Alexander N. Ortega
Ligia M. Chavez*
Affiliation:
Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Pedro A. García
Affiliation:
Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jim P. Stimpson
Affiliation:
Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
Keilyn M. Vale Lassalle
Affiliation:
Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Janet T. Saumell-Rivera
Affiliation:
Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Alexander N. Ortega
Affiliation:
Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Hawai’i, USA
*
Corresponding author: Ligia M. Chavez; ligia.chavez@upr.edu
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Abstract

Objectives

Psychological reactions in response to disasters have been associated with increased mental health (MH) symptomatology, decreased quality of life (QOL), and post-traumatic stress (PTSD). This study provides a rare opportunity to examine post disaster MH longitudinally in a sample of adolescents.

Methods

From 2018-20, adolescents (12-18 years, N=228) were interviewed about disaster exposure, QOL using the Adolescent Quality of Life-Mental Health Scale (AQOL-MHS), psychological symptoms, and diagnoses.

Results

Having an MH diagnosis and PTSD are clear indicators of worse Emotional Regulation (ER) (P ≤ 0.03, P ≤ 0.0001) and Self-Concept (SC) (P ≤ 0.006, P ≤ 0.002) QOL. Girls were disproportionately affected in all models for SC and Social Context domains (P ≤ 0.0001, P ≤ 0.01). Interaction models results for ER (P ≤ 0.05) and SC (P ≤ 0.01) indicate that those with PTSD are improving over time at a greater rate than those without PTSD.

Conclusions

Recovery takes time and a clear sex disparity for girls was observed. Results for the different AQOL-MHS domains highlight how the challenges experienced by disasters are multifaceted. Knowing who is at greater risk can allow for better resource allocation and targeted population-based prevention strategies to promote and maintain MH and resolve risk factors for mental illnesses.

Keywords

mental healthdisastersadolescent healthPTSDHispanic or Latino
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 19 , 2025 , e6
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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