Cognitive and Psychosocial Consequences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Among Middle‐Aged, Older, and Oldest‐Old Adults in the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study (LHAS)

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on cognitive and psychosocial functioning among middle‐aged (45–64 years), older (65–89 years), and oldest‐old adults (90 years and over) in the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study (LHAS). Analyses of pre‐ and post‐disaster cognitive data showed storm‐related decrements in working memory for the middle‐aged and older adults, but not for the oldest‐old adults. Regression analyses confirmed that measures of social engagement and storm‐related disruption significantly predicted pre‐ to post‐disaster differences in short‐term and working memory performance for the middle‐aged and older adults only. These results are consistent with a burden perspective on post‐disaster psychological reactions. Implications for current views of disaster reactions are discussed.