Prevalence, risk factors and aging vulnerability for psychopathology following a natural disaster in a developing country

Objectives This study explored the psychopathological reactions to a natural disaster and their respective risk factors among the elderly in Honduras and their vulnerability as compared to other adults. Study subjects and sample Eight hundred respondents of both genders aged 15 years and above, of which 103 were 60 and over, were selected from high, middle and low residential status areas in Tegucigalpa that had suffered high and low exposure to the devastating effects of Hurricane Mitch. Research instruments CIDI was used to diagnose PTSD and the Impact of Events Scale was administered as a measure of severity of post-traumatic reaction. Depression and alcohol misuse were examined using screening instruments. The SRQ was used as both a measure of emotional distress and dichotomized to screen for probable psychiatric disorder. Results PTSD, depression and SRQ-case were found, respectively in 13.6%, 18.8%, and 21.4% of the elderly. Their reactions did not differ in frequency than of those of younger adults. Among the elderly, pre-hurricane psychological problems and the intensity of exposure were associated with increased risk for all outcomes measured except for alcohol misuse. Conclusion No evidence was found for a differential vulnerability on the part of the elderly as compared with younger adults. Among the elderly increasing age was not a factor. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.