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Hurricane Maria's lasting impact on Puerto Rico's children revealed in report Hurricane Maria's lasting impact on Puerto Rico's children revealed in report
(32 minutes later)
More than half the youth in Puerto Rico had a friend or family member leave the island after Hurricane Maria, according to a study published Friday that reveals the dramatic extent to which the island’s youth were exposed to damaged homes, food and water shortages and threats to their life. More than half of young people in Puerto Rico saw a friend or family member leave the island after Hurricane Maria, according to a study published on Friday which reveals the dramatic extent to which young Puerto Ricans were exposed to damaged homes, shortages of food and water and threats to their lives.
Unlike in most comparable disasters, the devastation and mental health impacts of the category 4 storm were “nearly ubiquitous regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status”, according to a study about its impact on the mental health of young Puerto Ricans published on Friday in the journal Jama Network Open.
Despair and anxiety: Puerto Rico's 'living emergency' as a mental health crisis unfoldsDespair and anxiety: Puerto Rico's 'living emergency' as a mental health crisis unfolds
“The magnitude was so large that all children were exposed,” said Joy Lynn Suárez, a psychology professor at Carlos Albizu University and a co-author of the report. In contrast to most comparable disasters, the physical and mental effects of the category four storm which hit the island in September 2017 were “nearly ubiquitous regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status”, according to a study about its impact on young Puerto Ricans published on Friday in the journal Jama Network Open.
An estimated 2,975 to 4,645 people died in the hurricane, which cut out nearly all communication across the island and destroyed the power grid. “The magnitude was so large that all children were exposed,” said Joy Lynn Suárez, a psychology professor at Carlos Albizu University in San Juan and a report co-author.
Those who survived still feared for their lives, with 30% of children reporting that they perceived their lives or the lives of someone they love at risk, a strong predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The death toll from Maria is estimated at between 2,975 and 4,645. The storm cut nearly all communication across the island and destroyed the power grid.
Researchers tied to Puerto Rico government agencies and universities also found that after Hurricane Maria: Those who survived still feared for their lives. According to the new study, 30% of children reported that they perceived their lives or the lives of people they loved to be at risk – a strong predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
47.5% of children’s family’s homes were damaged, while 83.9% of children saw damaged homes. Researchers tied to Puerto Rico government agencies and universities also found:
24% of youth helped rescue people. 47.5% of children’s family’s homes were damaged, while 83.9% of children saw damaged homes
25.5% of youth were forced to evacuate. 24% of youth helped rescue people
32% of youth experienced food and water shortages. 25.5% of youth were forced to evacuate
16.7% of youth still did not have electricity five to nine months after the hurricane. 32% of youth experienced shortages of food and water
47.5% of children’s family’s homes were damaged, while 83.9% of children saw damaged homes. 16.7% of youth still did not have electricity five to nine months after the storm
24% of youth helped rescue people. 47.5% of children’s family’s homes were damaged, while 83.9% of children saw damaged homes
25.5% of youth were forced to evacuate. 24% of youth helped rescue people
32% of youth experienced food and water shortages. 25.5% of youth were forced to evacuate
16.7% of youth still did not have electricity five to nine months after the hurricane. 32% of youth experienced shortages of food and water
The study represents one of the largest efforts to survey youth after a major natural disaster in US history and is the largest sample ever of Hispanic youth impacted by a natural disaster, a group that is underrepresented in existing research. 16.7% of youth still did not have electricity five to nine months after the storm
Nearly 100,000 of the 226,800 Puerto Rican students eligible for the study were surveyed from 1 Feb to 29 June 2018 in the island’s seven education districts. Overall, 7.2% reported “clinically significant” symptoms of PTSD – about 6,900 students across the island. The study is one of the largest attempts in US history to survey young people after a major natural disaster. It is also the largest sample ever of Hispanic youth impacted by disaster, a group underrepresented in existing research.
Suárez said the report’s findings showed the need for evidence-based mental health services in Puerto Rico. Nearly 100,000 of 226,800 Puerto Rican students eligible for the study were surveyed from 1 February to 29 June 2018, in the island’s seven education districts. Overall, about 6,900 students, 7.2%, reported “clinically significant” symptoms of PTSD.
“This study shows significant evidence of the need for additional funding to hire and train mental health professionals who can provide evidence-based therapies for children in need,” Suárez said in an email. “It also means that we really need to pay attention to preparedness for future disasters and making sure all this potential disaster related exposure – that agencies have a plan of how to be prepared and be able to provide support if this ever happens again.” Suárez said the report showed the need for evidence-based mental health services.
Before the hurricane, Puerto Rico’s population was already declining because of the economic recession. The hurricane inspired another mass exodus that persists to this day. About 4% of Puerto Rico’s population – 130,000 people – fled the island after Hurricane Maria, according to the US census. “This study shows significant evidence of the need for additional funding to hire and train mental health professionals who can provide evidence-based therapies for children in need,” she wrote in an email.
In the survey, 57.8% of youth said a family member or friend left the island after the hurricane. “It also means that we really need to pay attention to preparedness for future disasters and making sure all this potential disaster related exposure – that agencies have a plan of how to be prepared and be able to provide support if this ever happens again.”
These departures coincided with months-long school closures that left children isolated from key social exposure. At home, many children were sheltered indoors to protect them from an outside dominated by downed trees, precarious structures and snapped electric cables languishing in water. Electricity outages splintered communication and access to entertainment such as television and cell phones. Before the hurricane, Puerto Rico’s population was declining due to recession. The hurricane inspired another exodus. About 4% of the population – 130,000 people – left the island after Hurricane Maria, according to the US census.
Erica Vera, a social worker in a New York state school district, said Puerto Rican children who left the island for the mainland after Maria showed similar signs of emotional distress. “A lot of kids have a fear that this will happen again and a lot of them have nightmares about it,” Vera said. In the survey, 57.8% of respondents said a family member or friend had left Puerto Rico after the hurricane.
She said there are still children moving to New York from Puerto Rico because of Maria. A majority of the post-Maria students she has evaluated did not move to New York with their parents, but to live with other family members already based on the mainland. Months-long school closures left children isolated. At home, many were sheltered indoors, to protect them from downed trees, precarious structures and snapped electric cables. Electricity outages splintered communication and access to television and cellphones.
“What really hurt me was the concern of these young kids who are seven to eight years old, them being so scared for their uncles and grandmothers. I think it’s a feeling that the family is not safe over there,” Vera said. “The feeling of loss and concern of these young kids for the safety and resources that the family members they left behind haunts them.” Erica Vera, a social worker in a New York state school district, said Puerto Rican children who left for the mainland after Maria showed signs of emotional distress.
“A lot of kids have a fear that this will happen again and a lot of them have nightmares about it,” Vera said.
She said children were still moving to New York from Puerto Rico because of Maria. A majority of such students she has evaluated did not move with their parents, but to live with family members already based on the mainland.
“What really hurt me was the concern of these young kids who are seven to eight years old, them being so scared for their uncles and grandmothers,” Vera said. “I think it’s a feeling that the family is not safe over there.
“The feeling of loss and concern of these young kids for the safety and resources that the family members they left behind haunts them.”
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Hurricane MariaHurricane Maria
Mental healthMental health
Natural disasters and extreme weatherNatural disasters and extreme weather
AmericasAmericas
HealthHealth
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