Social capital, neighborhood disorder, and disaster recovery

Lauren Clay, PhD, MPH; Mia Papas, PhD; David Abramson, PhD, MPH; James Kendra, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2017.0332

Authors

Lauren Clay, PhD, MPH
Mia Papas, PhD
David Abramson, PhD, MPH
James Kendra, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2017.0332

Keywords:

social institutions, social capital, disaster recovery, neighborhood disorder, physical disorder, social disorder

Abstract

Objective: This study examined social institutions as a contextual factor that may influence perceptions of neighborhood physical and social disorder during disaster recovery.

Design: The study used descriptive statistics and fit logistic regression models.

Setting and Participants: Participants in this study (n = 772) were recruited from temporary housing in Louisiana and Mississippi as part of the Gulf Coast Child and Family Health Study, a longitudinal study of households heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Community data were obtained from the Dun and Bradstreet Million Dollar Database and the American Community Survey.

Outcome measure(s): Social disorder was assessed by asking respondents how concerned they are about issues such as being robbed or walking alone at night. Physical disorder was assessed by asking about problems experienced in the last month such as broken or missing windows and presence of mice or rats.

Results: Greater income (β = −0.17, SE = 0.07), housing stability (β = −0.16, SE = 0.07), social support (β = −0.09, SE = 0.04), and home ownership (β = −0.10, SE = 0.05) were associated with lower social disorder and a larger male population at the community level was associated with greater social disorder (β = 0.00, SE = 0.00). Greater social support (β = −0.11, SE = 0.04), housing stability (β = −0.15, SE = 0.06), and higher income (β = −0.10, SE = 0.07) were associated with lower physical disorder.

Conclusions: Longitudinal research is needed to understand the direction of influence between neighborhood factors and to household ability to provide for basic needs postdisaster. The findings also highlight the need for further research on postdisaster male behavior.

Author Biographies

Lauren Clay, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Health Services Administration, D’Youville College, Buffalo, New York

Mia Papas, PhD

Director, Epidemiology and Health Outcomes Research, Christiana Care Health System, Value Institute, Newark, Delaware

David Abramson, PhD, MPH

Clinical Associate Professor, College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York

James Kendra, PhD

Director, Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware; Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware

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