Psychopathology in Children and Their Caregivers Following America’s Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

Hurricane Katrina struck the southern coast of the United States on August 31, 2005. This Category 5 hurricane was one of the worst disasters in American history. Here, we review the background and context of Katrina, the costliest ($125 billion) hurricane to ever hit the United States, emphasizing the complex series of traumatic events encompassed by the storm and its aftermath. In particular, we focus on the complicated experiences faced by Katrina-exposed children and their families and review follow-up research on Katrina’s effects on children and their caregivers in both New Orleans, Louisiana, and the coastal Mississippi area. These populations demonstrated high rates of psychopathology, especially PTSD, in the aftermath of the hurricane. We consider findings regarding risk and protective factors and conclude by discussing lessons learned and future directions in disaster preparedness, policy planning, recovery efforts, and treatment interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)