Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T10:20:07.690Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Mixed-Methods Study After Multiple Disasters: September 11, 2001, World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks and Hurricane Sandy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2021

Sascha K. Garrey ,
Aminotu A. Ogunyemi  and
Lisa M. Gargano
Sascha K. Garrey*
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York, USA
Aminotu A. Ogunyemi
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York, USA
Lisa M. Gargano
Affiliation:
World Trade Center Health Registry, Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York, USA
*
Corresponding author: Sascha K. Garrey, Email: sgarrey@health.nyc.gov.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this study was to use a mixed-method analysis to investigate the associations between qualitative themes found in written responses and quantitative reported level of stress after Hurricane Sandy.

Methods:

A survey was conducted among World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees 5-12 mo after Hurricane Sandy. This study included 1202 participants who completed the free-response section and answered the question on how stressful their experiences were with Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. Content analysis was used to generate qualitative data. Mixed-methods analysis was performed using a 1-way analysis of variance test for bivariate comparisons of qualitative thematic codes and the quantitative outcome of mean Sandy stress scores.

Results:

Seven themes emerged from the qualitative analysis. The themes of lack of information, negative emotional response, and financial stress had higher quantitative mean Sandy stress scores compared with other themes. The theme of patriotism/gratitude had an overall lower quantitative Sandy stress scores than other themes.

Conclusions:

Qualitative and mixed-methods research on mental health outcomes after a disaster add new depth and findings to the existing literature. Using such methodologies to identify modifiable factors, such as improving communication during a disaster, may confer better mental health outcomes after a disaster.

Keywords

disaster planningmixed-methodsHurricane SandyWorld Trade Centerstress
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , April 2022 , pp. 698 - 705
Copyright
© 2021 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Schwartz, R, Liu, B, Sison, C, et al. Study design and results of a population-based study on perceived stress following Hurricane Sandy. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2016;10(3):325–332. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2015.157 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brackbill, RM, Caramanica, K, Maliniak, M, et al. Nonfatal injuries 1 week after Hurricane Sandy-New York metropolitan area, October 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014;63(42):950–954.Google ScholarPubMed
Blatchford, L. Written testimony. Field hearing with Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/hearings/LaurelBlatchfordTestimony.pdf. Published 2013. Accessed June 21, 2019.Google Scholar
Blake, ES, Kimberlain, TB, Berg, RJ, et al. Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Sandy (AL182012) 22–29 October 2012. 2013. https://fayllar.org/1-tropical-cyclone-report-hurricane-sandy-al182012-22-29-octob.html. Accessed February 4, 2021.Google Scholar
Schmeltz, MT, González, SK, Fuentes, L, et al. Lessons from hurricane sandy: a community response in Brooklyn, New York. J Urban Health. 2013;90(5):799–809. doi: 10.1007/s11524-013-9832-9 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Subaiya, S, Moussavi, C, Velasquez, A, et al. A rapid needs assessment of the rockaway peninsula in New York city after hurricane sandy and the relationship of socioeconomic status to recovery. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(4):632–638. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301668 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Griensven, F, Chakkraband, M, Thienkrua, W, et al. Mental health problems among adults in tsunami-affected areas in southern Thailand. JAMA. 2006;296(5):537–548. doi. org/10.1001/jama.296.5.537 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Irmansyah, I, Dharmono, S, Maramis, A, et al. Determinants of psychological morbidity in survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh and Nias. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2010;4(1):8. doi: 10.1186/1752-4458-4-8 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Redwood-Campbell, L. What types of patients were seen after the tsunami in Banda Aceh in an International Committee Red Cross (ICRC) field hospital Outpatient/Emergency Department? Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;20(Suppl 2). doi: 10.1017/s1049023x00014503 Google Scholar
Isaranuwatchai, W, Coyte, PC, McKenzie, K, et al. The 2004 tsunami and mental health in Thailand: a longitudinal analysis of one-and two-year post-disaster data. Disasters. 2017;41(1):150–170. doi: 10.1111/disa.12188 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kessler, RC, Galea, S, Jones, RT, et al. Mental illness and suicidality after Hurricane Katrina. Bull World Health Organ. 2006;84(12):930–939. doi: 10.2471/BLT.06.033019 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Galea, S, Brewin, CR, Gruber, M, et al. Exposure to hurricane-related stressors and mental illness after Hurricane Katrina. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(12):1427–1434. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.64.12.1427 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Green, G, Lowe, SR, Rhodes, JE. What can multiwave studies teach us about disaster research: an analysis of low-income Hurricane Katrina survivors. J Trauma Stress. 2012;25(3):299–306. doi: 10.1002/jts.21708 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leon, KA, Hyre, AD, Ompad, D, et al. Perceived stress among a workforce 6 months following hurricane Katrina. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2007;42(12):1005–1011. doi: 10.1007/s00127-007-0260-6 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boscarino, JA, Hoffman, SN, Kirchner, HL, et al. Mental health outcomes at the Jersey shore after Hurricane Sandy. Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2013;15(3):147–158.Google ScholarPubMed
Lowe, SR, Sampson, L, Gruebner, O, et al. Psychological resilience after hurricane sandy: the influence of individual- and community-level factors on mental health after a large-scale natural disaster. PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0125761. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125761 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gruebner, O, Lowe, SR, Sampson, L, et al. The geography of post-disaster mental health: spatial patterning of psychological vulnerability and resilience factors in New York City after Hurricane Sandy. Int J Health Geogr. 2015;14:16. doi: 10.1186/s12942-015-0008-6 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Caramanica, K, Brackbill, RM, Stellman, SD, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder after hurricane sandy among persons exposed to the 9/11 disaster. Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2015;17(1):356–362.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schwartz, RM, Gillezeau, CN, Liu, B, et al. Longitudinal impact of Hurricane Sandy exposure on mental health symptoms. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(9):957. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14090957 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schwartz, RM, Sison, C, Kerath, SM, et al. The impact of Hurricane Sandy on the mental health of New York area residents. Am J Disaster Med. 2015;10(4):339–346. doi: 10.5055/ajdm.2015.0216 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schwartz, RM, Rothenberg, P, Kerath, SM, et al. The lasting mental health effects of Hurricane Sandy on residents of the Rockaways. J Emerg Manag. 2016;14(4):269–279. doi: 10.5055/jem.2016.0292 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pluye, P, Nha Hong, Q. Combining the power of stories and the power of numbers: mixed methods research and mixed studies reviews. Annu Rev Public Health. 2014:35:29–45. doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182440 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gargano, LM, Hosakote, S, Zhi, Q, et al. Resilience to post-traumatic stress among World Trade Center survivors: a mixed-methods study. J Emerg Manag. 2017;15(5):275–284. doi: 10.5055/jem.2017.0336 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ayvaci, ER, Pollio, DE, Sonis, J, et al. A mixed methods study of satisfaction with justice and desire for revenge in survivors of the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2019;28(3):e1772. doi: 10.1002/mpr.1772 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Farfel, M, DiGrande, L, Brackbill, R, et al. An overview of 9/11 experiences and respiratory and mental health conditions among World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees. J Urban Health. 2008;85(6):880–909. doi: 10.1007/s11524-008-9317-4 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA: Zone A. https://www.fema.gov/zone. Accessed March 11, 2020.Google Scholar
Hurricane Katrina Community Advisory Group. Overview of Baseline Survey Results: Hurricane Katrina Community Advisory Group. 2006. https://legacy.npr.org/documents/2006/aug/katrina_mental_health.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2021.Google Scholar
Trinh, N-HT, Nadler, DL, Shie, V, et al. Psychological sequelae of the station nightclub fire: comparing survivors with and without physical injuries using a mixed-methods analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e115013. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115013 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Li, J, Alper, HE, Gargano, LM, et al. Re-experiencing 9/11-related PTSD symptoms following exposure to Hurricane Sandy. Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2018;20(3):10.4172/1522-4821.1000404. doi: 10.4172/1522-4821.1000404 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jones, SMW, Ziebell, R, Walker, R, et al. Association of worry about cancer to benefit finding and functioning in long-term cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer. 2017;25(5):1417–1422. doi: 10.1007/s00520-016-3537-z CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Richardson, KM. Meaning reconstruction in the face of terror: an examination of recovery and posttraumatic growth among victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. J Emerg Manag. 2015;13(3):239–246. doi: 10.5055/jem.2015.0237 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed