Evaluating a media campaign that targeted PTSD after Hurricane Katrina

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Research
• Disaster Psychology

Background:

• Hurricane Katrina caused significant trauma and mental health challenges in New Orleans.
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent mental health concern following mass trauma events.
• Targeted media campaigns are a potential strategy for addressing public mental health needs in disaster-affected populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a media campaign designed to address posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in African Americans in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina.
• To examine the influence of the media campaign on PTSD beliefs and preventive behaviors.
• To explore the relationship between campaign attention, PTSD beliefs, preventive behaviors, and PTSD symptom levels.

Main Methods:

• Telephone survey interviews with 968 African Americans in New Orleans.
• Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis to assess changes over time.
• Structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a hypothesized multistep model of influence.

Main Results:

• Over-time improvements were observed in campaign attention, PTSD beliefs, and PTSD preventive behaviors.
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom levels remained constant during the study period.
• Structural equation modeling supported a model where campaign attention influenced PTSD beliefs, which influenced preventive behaviors, and subsequently PTSD.

Conclusions:

• The media campaign positively influenced beliefs and preventive behaviors related to PTSD.
• Improvements in PTSD beliefs and preventive behaviors may serve as precursors to future reductions in PTSD symptoms.
• Media interventions can play a role in shaping mental health attitudes and actions in disaster-affected communities.