Resource Loss and Depressive Symptoms Following Hurricane Katrina: A Principal Component Regression Study

To understand the relationship between the structure of resource loss and depression after disaster exposure, the components of resource loss and the impact of these resource loss components on depression was examined among college students (N=654) at two universities who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. The component of resource loss was analyzed by principal component analysis first. Gender, social relationship loss, and financial loss were then examined with the regression model on depression. Financial loss was a significant predictor of depression. Social relationship loss did not predict depression significantly. In predicting depression, resource loss was more important for females than for males.