Citation

Janson M, Felix ED, Kaniasty K, Lugo-Hernández EA, Rosa-Rodríguez Y, Canino G. J. Am. Coll. Health 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2022.2155826

PMID

36701432

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The current multi-university, multi-disaster study examined the impact of natural disaster exposure on identity-related distress through life stressors and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Participants: Young adult university students (n = 665, 77% female, M = 20.5 years old) participated in Wave (W) 1. Half provided contact information for follow-up, and 136 university students participated in W2.

METHOD: University students in the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico were asked about disaster exposure, life stressors, PTSS, and identity-related distress at W1 (M = 9.7 months post-disaster) and identity-related distress at W2 (M = 12.4 months after W1). Two serial mediation models assessed the indirect effect of disaster exposure on W1 and W2 identity-related distress through life stressors and PTSS.

RESULTS: Disaster exposure impacted identity-related distress concurrently and longitudinally through increasing life stressors since disaster and PTSS.

CONCLUSION: Potential supportive services should address identity-related distress among disaster-exposed young adults with PTSS.

Language: en

Keywords

College students; posttraumatic stress; emerging adulthood; identity distress; natural disaster