PTSD Symptoms and Somatic Complaints Following Hurricane Katrina: The Roles of Trait Anxiety and Anxiety Sensitivity

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity and the outcome variables posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and somatic complaints following a major hurricane. Sixth and seventh graders in the New Orleans area (N = 302) were surveyed 5 to 8 months following Hurricane Katrina. As expected, hurricane exposure was a significant predictor of PTSD symptoms and somatic symptoms. Also as hypothesized, certain factors of anxiety sensitivity interacted with trait anxiety to predict PTSD symptoms and somatic symptoms. Clinical implications of potential linkages among trait anxiety, dimensions of anxiety sensitivity and PTSD, and somatic symptoms are discussed.

This work was supported by a grant from the Newcomb Foundation, Tulane University, awarded to R. Enrique Varela and by a Robert E. Flowerree award to Lauren Hensley.

Notes

Note. N = 301.

Note. N = 301.

Note: Somatic = somatic symptoms; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; HURTE = Hurricane-Related Traumatic Experiences questionnaire; STAIC = State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children; CASI = Children's Anxiety Sensitivity Index; MI = mental illness sub-scale; SC = social concerns subscale; UC = unsteady concerns sub-scale; DC = disease concerns sub-scale.

∗p <.05. ∗∗p <.01.

Note: Gender was coded boys = 1, girls = 2. HE = hurricane exposure; TA = trait anxiety; MI = mental illness concerns sub-scale; SC = social concerns sub-scale; UC = unsteady concerns sub-scale; DC = disease concerns sub-scale; β = standardized beta; pr = partial correlation.

∗p <.05. ∗∗p <.01.