Robust research has established that preexisting physical and mental health conditions increase risk for adverse psychiatric outcomes after disasters. However, it is unclear if increased risk is independent of disaster exposure, and most studies have relied on retrospective reports of pre-disaster functioning.

In a pre-post sample of high-risk Puerto Rican adults (N = 361) who experienced Hurricanes Irma and Maria, we assessed: 1) whether indicators of pre-disaster depression and physical health conditions were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms; and 2) whether the effects of pre-disaster depression and physical health conditions on PTSD and MDD symptoms were indirect via disaster exposure or had exacerbated the effects of disaster exposure on PTSD and MDD symptoms.

Pre-disaster depression and physical health problems were significantly associated with higher post-disaster MDD symptoms (B = 1.50, SE = 0.36, p < .001, and B = 0.21; SE = 0.09, P = 0.016), but not PTSD symptoms. Indirect effects of pre-disaster depression and physical health symptoms via disaster exposure were non-significant, and neither moderated the association of disaster exposure on PTSD and MDD symptoms.

Research is needed to understand other pathways through which pre-disaster health conditions predict post-disaster mental health.