Maternal stress and social support during Hurricane Florence

Health Care Women Int. 2023 Feb;44(2):198-215. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2022.2046750. Epub 2022 May 26.

Abstract

In theoretical research on disaster vulnerability, access to resources is critical for optimal outcomes. Studying the impact of a hurricane on maternal stress can expand theories of disaster vulnerability. This is a cross-sectional mixed-methods prospective study of maternal stress during Hurricane Florence in the United States. Results from chi-squares compared the proportion of respondents who reported having support for a financial emergency were significant, specifically that higher income respondents indicated the ability to rely on someone in case of an emergency. A regression analysis indicated that social support was significant and negatively related to stress as a dependent variable, while evacuation status and pregnancy status were not significant predictors of stress. Five themes emerged from the overall qualitative data: concerns about infant feeding, evacuation logistics, general stress, family roles, and 'other' issues.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cyclonic Storms*
  • Disasters*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Social Support
  • United States