Disaster Related Stresses, Depressive Signs and Symptoms, and Suicidal Ideation Among a Multi‐Racial/Ethnic Sample of Adolescents: A Longitudinal Analysis

Abstract

Longitudinal findings are presented on the relationships between disaster related stresses, depression scores, and suicidal ideation among a multi-racial/ethnic sample of adolescents (N = 4,978) all of whom have been exposed to Hurricane Andrew. Regression analysis showed that being female, hurricane generated stresses, low levels of family support, pre-hurricane suicidal ideation, and post-hurricane depression scores were significant predictors of post-hurricane suicidal ideation. Path analysis revealed that being female, low socioeconomic status, pre- and post-hurricane depression, high stress scores, low family support, and pre-hurricane suicidal ideation had significant direct/indirect effects on post-hurricane suicidal ideation.