Abstract
This prospective study examined the pathways by which religious involvement affected the post-disaster psychological functioning
of women who survived Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The participants were 386 low-income, predominantly Black, single mothers.
The women were enrolled in the study before the hurricane, providing a rare opportunity to document changes in mental health
from before to after the storm, and to assess the protective role of religious involvement over time. Results of structural
equation modeling indicated that, controlling for level of exposure to the hurricanes, pre-disaster physical health, age,
and number of children, pre-disaster religiousness predicted higher levels of post-disaster (1) social resources and (2) optimism
and sense of purpose. The latter, but not the former, was associated with better post-disaster psychological outcome. Mediation
analysis confirmed the mediating role of optimism and sense of purpose.
of women who survived Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The participants were 386 low-income, predominantly Black, single mothers.
The women were enrolled in the study before the hurricane, providing a rare opportunity to document changes in mental health
from before to after the storm, and to assess the protective role of religious involvement over time. Results of structural
equation modeling indicated that, controlling for level of exposure to the hurricanes, pre-disaster physical health, age,
and number of children, pre-disaster religiousness predicted higher levels of post-disaster (1) social resources and (2) optimism
and sense of purpose. The latter, but not the former, was associated with better post-disaster psychological outcome. Mediation
analysis confirmed the mediating role of optimism and sense of purpose.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-011-9445-y
- Authors
- Christian S. Chan, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- Jean E. Rhodes, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
- John E. Pérez, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562