Hurricane aftermath increases parental stress, possibly child maltreatment

The damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, along with the flooding in New Orleans, have left many families homeless, displaced in other states and unsure of their future. Efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy and meet the daily needs of their family during this time of uncertainty can overwhelm even the most skilled parent. As these parents wrestle with their frustrations in the aftermath of the most devastating natural disaster in American history, the potential for children to experience abuse and neglect rises.

In the April 2004 American Journal of Preventative Medicine, University of North Carolina Faculty issued a research report detailing the incidence of intentional and unintentional child abuse brain injuries in children following Hurricane Floyd in 1999. The study hypothesized that the flooding and subsequent disruption to lives, property and community ties may have contributed to an increase in parental stress and depression, leading to an increase in child maltreatment.

After Hurricane Floyd flooded 16 counties in Eastern North Carolina, researchers found a marked increase in the number of cases of intentional traumatic brain injuries, also known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, in the counties hardest hit by the hurricane. Non-intentional brain injuries, such as those caused by accidents and unsafe environments, were also found to be at an elevated level. Overall, child abuse brain injuries were five times more common in the hardest-hit counties by the hurricane. These injuries not only became more common immediately following the hurricane but also appeared at high levels up to six months after the storm passed.

For families living in areas recovering from natural disasters, the stress in attempting to resume their lives is all too often overwhelming. "This research clearly shows that anytime families are dealing with higher levels of stress, children are in danger. In this situation, not only are the families suffering the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina, many of them are in other states across the county, which only adds to the stress levels of parents," said Anna Fogle, president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Louisiana.

While Fogle praises the efforts of Louisiana's citizens that have come to the aid of their displaced neighbors, she cautions that there is still much to be done to help these families.

"Addressing the emotional needs of both the parents and children is critical, as is protecting the children living in shelters from sexual predators. These families desperately need the support of their community, family and friends," emphasized Fogle.

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana is offering a "Good Touch/Bad Touch" presentation for children living in shelters, and the agency is working with retired law enforcement officers and other security personnel to increase the security for children in those facilities. PCA Louisiana staff members are also available to train shelter volunteers on the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment and how to report suspected abuse or neglect.

For more information about the services PCA Louisiana is offering the hurricane victims or their other programs, call 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) or visit their website at www.pcal.org.