Adherence to Gender Roles on PTSD Symptoms of Hurricane Harvey Survivors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between trauma and adherence to gender roles among a sample of Hurricane Harvey survivors (N = 225). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from natural disasters has been associated with an increased risk of negative psychological outcomes. Previous studies have found increased risks of PTSD resulting from hurricane exposure, and there also appears to be a correlation between PTSD and gender. Specifically, women have been found to be more likely to endorse PTSD symptoms. However, this relationship has not yet been examined specifically among survivors of trauma from natural disasters. The Hayes Process Macro (v3.5) was utilized to test for the potential moderating effect of adherence to traditional gender roles on the relationship between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms, as well as trauma exposure and depression. Results indicated that adherence to traditional female gender roles significantly moderated the relationships both between trauma severity and PTSD symptoms and between trauma severity and depression. Those with more androgynous gender roles have been found to have an increased ability to utilize more situation-specific coping skills. Future research could explore the specific aspects of traditional female and male gender roles that increase or decrease ability to cope with trauma.

Keywords:

• Trauma
• hurricane
• PTSD
• gender roles

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval

Ethics approval was obtained through the institutional review board at the University of Houston (Approval No. STUDY00000694).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. C. Seldomridge

Dr. Andrea Seldomridge is a psychological associate at Thrive Therapy Studio, a private practice in San Diego, California. She earned her PsyD from Rosemead School of Psychology and completed her APA accredited predoctoral internship at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her primary clinical interests include child and adolescent therapy, psychodynamic work, and working with members of the LGBTQIA + community.

D. C. Wang

Dr. David Wang is a licensed psychologist, pastor, and associate professor at Fuller Theological Seminary School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology. He is principal investigator of the Seminary Formation Assessment Project and co-principal investigator of the Trauma-Resilient Church Collective Program. He teaches and speaks internationally and consults with the Global Aftercare Program of the International Justice Mission, an international nonprofit organization devoted to ending the global slave trade. His research interests include trauma and traumatic stress, mindfulness/self-compassion, spiritual theology, and multicultural psychology. He obtained a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Houston and a ThM in spiritual theology from Regent College.

L. Dryjanska

Dr. Laura Dryjanska is a social and industrial–organizational psychologist and faculty member at Rosemead School of Psychology. She is a member of the International Affairs Committee of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and served as the Chair of the White Papers and Publications Subcommittee in 2021–2022. She was also a member of the APA Committee on Early Career Psychologists in 2021–2023. Her research interests include social representations applied to diverse fields, such as positive organizational psychology and human trafficking. She obtained a European/international joint PhD in social representations and communication in the field of social psychology at the Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) in 2012. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Sapienza University of Rome and is currently an associate professor for Rosemead School of Psychology.

J. P. Schwartz

Dr. Jonathan P. Schwartz is the dean of the College of Public Service at the University of Houston–Downtown. He previously served as associate dean of graduate studies at the University of Houston, College of Education, as well as associate dean of research at New Mexico State University. He previously served as president of an APA division. He is a fellow of the APA and was awarded a lifetime achievement award for his work in prevention and is an award-winning scholar within the area of men and masculinity. Additionally, he was previously the executive director and co-founder of the Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute.