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The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Children and Adolescents: Conceptual and Methodological Implications for Assessment and Intervention

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Abstract

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters the United States has ever encountered. Although many were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina, this chapter focuses on children and the role traumatic events can play on their mental health. The chapter begins with an overview of the immediate and ongoing efforts of the first author and his associates in the wake of Katrina. These efforts include deployments to the Gulf Coast and his briefing of the then First Lady, Laura Bush, on the psychological ramifications that traumatic events can have on children and adolescents. A review of the research literature regarding the impact of Hurricane Katrina on youth survivors follows. Recommendations for assessment and post-disaster intervention efforts are made within the context of the dose–response model. This conceptual model illustrates the roles of many risk and protective factors, including exposure, social support, coping, race/ethnicity, age, gender, parent–child interaction. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future clinical and research initiatives.

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Acknowledgments

A special thanks is extended to first lady Laura Bush for the valuable contributions to the children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Thanks are also extended to the following individuals: Al Marie Ford, MSW (Mental Health Cultural Competence Office), Cheryll Bowers-Stephens, MD, MBA (Assistant Secretary for the Office of Mental Health), Gilda Armstrong-Butler,MSW (Assistant Director of Louisiana Spirit), Anthony Speier, PhD (Louisiana Office of Mental Health; Director of Disaster Services), and Jeanne Brooks, MA (Charles B. Murphy Middle School Teacher and Librarian).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Russell T. Jones, Kelly Dugan Burns, Christopher S. Immel, Rachel M. Moore, Kathryn Schwartz-Goel & Bonnie Culpepper

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  1. Russell T. Jones
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Correspondence to Russell T. Jones .

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    Jones, R.T., Burns, K.D., Immel, C.S., Moore, R.M., Schwartz-Goel, K., Culpepper, B. (2009). The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Children and Adolescents: Conceptual and Methodological Implications for Assessment and Intervention. In: Cherry, K. (eds) Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0393-8_4

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