Examining stress and multiple disaster exposure: An exploratory analysis of the role of sociodemographic characteristics and disaster preparedness

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and disaster preparedness on both multiple disaster exposure and perceived stress, for residents of the Gulf Coast (United States) at risk of experiencing multiple disasters. Binary logistic regression was conducted using primary survey data collected from 2020 to 2022, which captured two hurricane seasons (n = 807). Two models were run, one with repeated disaster exposure as the dependent variable and one with perceived stress as the dependent variable. Independent variables in both models included sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, race, and gender) and disaster preparedness. Results suggest respondents who have previously prepared for disaster were more likely to have experienced multiple disasters, while those who identified as White were less likely to have experienced multiple disasters than those who did not identify as White. Results also indicate that women, younger respondents, and those with less education experienced high levels of perceived stress. These findings provide insights into factors that are associated with multiple disaster exposure, including the linkage between disaster preparedness and multiple disaster exposure, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, including gender, that are associated with higher levels of perceived stress for those at risk of experiencing multiple disasters. Based on these findings, we suggest “evacuation fatigue”—the idea that residents may be tired of evacuating because of false alarms when exposed to multiple disasters routinely—is a concept warranting further examination, which could complicate planning, response, and recovery efforts as well as potentially increase multiple disaster exposure.

• Cannon, C. E. B., Ferreira, R., & Buttell, F. (2024). Examining stress and multiple disaster exposure: An exploratory analysis of the role of sociodemographic characteristics and disaster preparedness. Traumatology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000501