Post-Katrina Resilience: Racially Different Predictors of Depression Among Hurricane Volunteers

Background: Recent traumatic events have spurred national awareness of the effects of trauma on mental health. However, research has focused more so on the survivors of the experiences than on the professional and lay volunteers who have provided care to the trauma survivors. The current study examined the differential risks and protective factors associated with depressive symptoms among African-American and Non-Hispanic White American student volunteers who worked with survivors in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Methods: A total sample of 554 student volunteers were recruited from social work programs at five universities located in the Deep South, namely areas severely impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (H-KR) during the fall semester of 2005.  African-American (n=299) and Non-Hispanic White respondents (n=206) completed and returned the survey questionnaires an average of three months after H-KR, a response rate of 91% (N=505). Respondents retrospectively provided information on faith factors, positive attitudes, H-KR disaster-related stressors, peritraumatic emotional reactions, and previous traumas that were recalled by H-KR.  Depression was measured with the 20-item CES-D. Independent t-tests were computed to identify racially-related differences among predictors of depressive symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine predictors of depressive symptoms among African-American and Non-Hispanic White respondents.  This analysis followed preplanned steps: 1) demographics, 2) disaster experience factors pertaining to reactions to H-KR, and 3) potential protective factors.

Results: African-American respondents reported higher rates of depressive symptoms (65.2%) than did their Non-Hispanic White counterparts (34.8%). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that H-KR disaster-related stressors affected African Americans (p < 0.001), but not Non-Hispanic Whites. However, African Americans who experienced peritraumatic positive emotions had lower levels of depression.  African-American respondents reported lower rates of recollection of previous traumas during H-KR; whereas recollections of previous traumas predicted symptoms among Non-Hispanic Whites (p < 0.05). Exhibiting more optimism was associated with lower depression levels among Non-Hispanic White Americans. The only risk factor for depressive symptoms that was shared among both groups was the experience of peritraumatic negative emotions. The overall model was significant for Step 2 (f=3.018, R Square=0.28, p < 0.05) and explained 28% of the variance in depression among Non-Hispanic White Americans. Similarly, the overall model for Step III was significant (f=5.87, R Square=0.46, p < 0.001) and explained 55% of the variance in depression among Non-Hispanic White Americans. Those who suffered more negative emotions and were reminded of traumatic experiences related to H-KR had higher depression levels, whereas those exhibiting more optimism had lower depression levels.

Implications: The results of the current study show racially different levels of depressive symptoms that are associated with varying degrees of resilience among student volunteers.  Future research should account for racial differences when examining risk and protective factors for depressive symptoms among social work students who are assisting trauma survivors. The findings underscore the importance of providing culturally-competent supervision and training to student volunteers, as well as cultivating the protective factors that enhance resilience in the aftermath of traumatic events.