Disaster Survivors' Anticipated Received Support in a Future Disaster

Sarah R. Lowe, Megan N. Young, Joie Acosta, Laura Sampson, Oliver Gruebner, Sandro Galea

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)711-717
Number of pages7
JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2018

Keywords

  • Hurricane Sandy
  • natural disasters
  • social networks
  • social support

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