Racial Variations in Postdisaster PTSD Among Veteran Survivors of Hurricane Katrina

To date, few hurricane trauma-related studies have focused on racial variations in psychological outcomes such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following natural disaster exposure. Of those that have reported racial differences in postdisaster outcomes, only some have controlled for covariates such as preexisting vulnerability factors (i.e., prior mental health problems), during-disaster factors (i.e., exposure severity) and postdisaster factors (i.e., social support). The present investigation examined racial differences in postdisaster clinical outcomes (positive screen for and new onset of PTSD), while controlling for these factors, among a sample of 304 military veterans 2 1/2 years after being exposed to Hurricane Katrina. The sample was composed of 149 African American and 155 White survivors. Bivariate results revealed racial differences in age, education, income, number of chronic medical problems, lifetime traumatic events, and Katrina traumatic events. Racial differences were identified in PTSD outcomes, with African American veterans more likely to have post-Katrina PTSD than Whites, 40% versus 27%, respectively. Racial differences in new onset PTSD remained after adjustment for covariates. Post hoc analyses, however, indicated that racial differences remained significant only for veterans with combat experience. Significant covariates included employment status, number of prior lifetime traumatic experiences, number of Katrina-related traumatic stressors, and current social support. In general, the difference in post-Katrina PTSD appeared to be associated with lifetime traumatic events and stressors, including those experienced during Hurricane Katrina and those prior to the hurricane, especially military combat for African American survivors.