Garrison et al. (prevalence rates)

Question 1

key terms

Answer 1

prevalence rates (the percentage of individuals within a population who are affected by a specific disorder at a given time)

PTSD
socioeconomic status
psychiatric symptomatology
cognitive reappraisal

Question 2

aim

Answer 2

to investigate cross-cultural differences in PTSD symptoms after hurricane Andrew

Question 3

participants

Answer 3

350 black, Hispanic and Caucasian teenagers after 6 months

Question 4

method

Answer 4

structured interview questions focusing on

• disaster related losses
• recent stressful life events
• psychiatric symptomatology
• lifetime exposure to traumatic events
• disaster experiences and emotional reaction

Question 5

results

Answer 5

9% women and 3% men fit the criteria for PTSD - rates highest among black and Hispanic people, increased with age

number of recent stressful life events correlated stronger with the PTSD symptoms than the actual disaster
> could be related to the ability to cope with the destruction

> highlights the economic disparity that exists between racial groups which could explain the prevalence rates

• negative cognitive reappraisal when remembering the disaster
• increased stress & anxiety caused by the lower socioeconomic status of the family (doesn’t allow for resources to cope with the damage as well as white people who are generally more economically secure)

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

an individual’s occupation and likelihood to be exposed to trauma are obvious factors that could increase differences in prevalence rates

studies of effects of natural disasters have revealed racial differences in PTSD development which could be explained through cognitive reappraisals and socioeconomic status