Alcohol and Cigarette Use and Misuse Among Hurricane Katrina Survivors: Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors

Abstract

The present study examined survivors' use and misuse of cigarettes and alcohol following Hurricane Katrina. We also examined several psychosocial factors that we expected would be associated with higher or lower rates of substance use following the hurricane. Participants were 209 adult survivors of Hurricane Katrina interviewed in Columbia, SC or New Orleans, LA between October 31, 2005 and May 13, 2006. Results revealed that survivors were smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol, and experiencing alcohol consumption-related problems at a substantially higher rate than expected based on pre-hurricane prevalence data. Results also suggested that certain psychosocial factors were associated with participants' substance use and misuse following the hurricane.

RÉSUMÉ

Cette étude examine l'utilisation et l'abus de la cigarette et de l'alcool chez les survivants de l'ouragan Katrina. Nous avons aussi examiné plusieurs facteurs psychosociaux que nous pensions associés à l'augmentation ou à la diminution de l'utilisation de ces substances à la suite de l'ouragan. Deux cents neuf survivants adultes de l'ouragan Katrina on été interrogés à Columbia, Caroline du Sud, ou à Nouvelle-Orléans, Louisiane, entre le 3 octobre 2005 et le 13 mai 2006. Comparé aux données acquises avant l'ouragan, les survivants fumaient plus de cigarettes, consommaient plus d'alcool et éprouvaient plus de problèmes reliés à leur consommation d'alcool. Les résultats suggèrent aussi que certains facteurs psychosociaux ont pus intervenir sur les effets de l'ouragan.

RESUMEN

El estudio presente examinó el uso y abuso del alcohol y cigarillos entre los sobrevivientes del Huracán Katrina. También examinamos muchos riesgos psicosociales que esperamos que iba a asociarse con un índice más alto o más bajo del uso de substancias después del Huracán. Los 209 pariticipantes fueron sobrevivientes adultos del Huracán Katrina que han sido entrevistados en Columbia, SC o New Orleans, LA entre el período, del 31 de Octubre del 2005 hasta el 13 de Mayo del 2006. Los resultados demonstraron que los sobrevivientes estuvieron fumando cigarillos, tomando alcohol y teniendo problemas relacionado con el alcohol considerablemente más alto de lo que se esperaba, basado en los datos predominantes antes del Huracán Katrina. Los resultados también sugerieron que algunos factores psicosociales hayan sido mediador en los efectos del Huracán.

Keywords :

• Hurricane Katrina
• alcohol
• cigarette
• use
• misuse
• Abuse
• risk factors
• protective factors

Notes

1 The reader is reminded that concepts representing posited processes such as risk and protective factors are often used in the literature without adequately delineating their dimensions (linear or nonlinear), their “demands,” the critical necessary conditions (endogenous and exogenous, micro and macro) which are necessary for any of them to operate (begin, continue, become anchored and integrate, change as de facto realities change, cease, etc.) or not to operate and whether their underpinnings are theory-driven, empirically based, individual and/or systemic stake holder-bound, based upon “principles of faith,” etc. Editor's note.

2 DNA data will be used in a forthcoming paper to examine the genetic contributions to emotional experiences following Hurricane Katrina.

3 Since this outcome variable was dichotomous, results were verified using logistic regression.

4 We defined binge drinking as having six or more drinks on one occasion because that is the criteria used in the AUDIT. However, we recognize that five or more drinks on one occasion are the standard definition for binge drinking; this was the criterion used in the CDC (2006) report. This suggests that we may have underestimated the number of Hurricane Katrina survivors reporting monthly binge drinking.

5 The reader is referred to Hills' criteria for causation which were developed in order to help assist researchers and clinicians to determine whether risk factors were causes of a particular disease or outcomes or merely associated. Editor's note.