| In the field of disaster research, the mental health consequences of disasters is a matter of controversy, with claims ranging from long-term psychological distress to positive effects on mental health. Using a model of psychosocial stress, this study analyzes post-disaster psychological distress as a function of social location, disaster stressors, and other life events. It is hypothesized that persons of disadvantaged social status would have higher levels of distress due to differential exposure to stressors and differential vulnerability to stressors. Multi-staged regression analysis indicates that in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake in Southern California, persons of disadvantaged social status (such as minorities and persons of low socioeconomic status) were in general less exposed than others to earthquake-related stressors. Five of the seven earthquake stressors (MMI, residential damage, injury to self, injury to household members, and neighborhood damage) were found to have a dose-response effect on psychological distress. Post-disaster psychological distress was higher for Hispanics, non-Black ethnic minorities, widowed persons, and persons with low family income. In addition, Hispanics, divorced/separated persons, and persons with low family income were more vulnerable than others to two or more earthquake stressors. Finally, as measured in this study, other life events were found to be stronger predictors than earthquake stressors of distress. By analyzing the relationship between disasters and psychological distress in a socio-structural context, this study highlights the importance of considering both differential exposure and differential vulnerability as complementary explanations of post-disaster psychological distress. |
