When state rescuing systems were paralyzed: Post-hurricane depression, hope, and spirituality of Black and White student volunteers.

Abstract

Objectives: Major disasters impose existential challenges and researchers have called for investigation of protectors (e.g., hope, spirituality) and further examination of mental health among Black and White student volunteers. This longitudinal study validated spirituality measures and tested a hypothetical model of depression among volunteers after deadly hurricanes.

Participants: Two-wave, survey data were collected via a purposive sample at three- and six-months post-disaster (N = 201; Age = 30.38, female = 91%, Black students = 38.8%).

Methods: Bayesian structural equation modeling (Bayesian-SEM) was employed to address both the small Wave-2 sample and the dichotomized depression measure.

Results: High proportions of respondents met symptom bars approaching clinical depression in both waves. As expected, hope had a suppressing effect on Waves 1-&-2 depression and mediated the opposite roles of peritraumatic emotions on both. Prayer coping mediated positive paths from Black participants.

Conclusion: Bayesian-SEM results reinforced the lasting protection of hope against post-disaster depression and indicated greater reliance on spirituality to cope among Black student volunteers.