Communities Organizing for Power through Empathy (COPE): Investigating the Relationship between Socioeconomic Disparities and Disaster-Related Mental Health Outcomes

Background: Natural disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable populations in the Gulf South, often exacerbating social and economic inequities. Socioeconomic status (SES), defined by annual income and education level, has been shown to affect access to essential resources such as timely aid, power restoration, and adequate property damage repair. Additionally, lower SES populations commonly face barriers to accessing public services during natural disasters. As a result, unequal access to disaster-related resources among lower SES populations is closely linked to poorer mental health outcomes following natural disasters. This study examines the relationship between SES and mental health outcomes in disaster-affected populations within the Gulf South, specifically the East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana.

Methods: Using baseline data collected as part a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) study of the effects of the community-based group intervention Communities Organizing for Power through Empathy (COPE) on stress and resilience, this research investigates the relationship between SES and self-reported mental health. We examined how SES predicted perceived stress (PSS), and depression and anxiety (DASS). Additionally, we investigated moderating effects of social support (MSPSS) and community resources (CART).

Results: Preliminary findings suggest a significant relationship between SES indicators and mental health outcomes. Our regression models indicate having a high school education or less associated with higher levels of both anxiety (β = 1.13, p = 0.51) and depression (β = 1.25, p = .058), significant at the α < .10 level. A robust inverse relationship was found between education and social support, specifically individuals with a high school education or less reported significantly lower perceived social support (MSPSS) compared to those with higher educational attainment (β = -9.44, p <.001). Household income, split at the $75,000 threshold, emerged as a significant predictor for multiple wellness indicators. Respondents earning less than $75,000 annually reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress (β = 1.53, p = .031) and anxiety (β = 0.88, p = 0.13). Furthermore, lower income was significantly associated with decreased perceived social support (β = -4.84, p = .001). However, no significant relationship was observed between income level and depression in these models.

Implications: By identifying the role of SES as a critical determinant of health and recovery, this study highlights the need for policy interventions that prioritize resource allocation to marginalized populations. These findings also suggest that socioeconomic disparities are associated with differences in mental health outcomes and perceived social support following natural disasters. Integrating socioeconomic context into disaster preparedness and response planning is crucial, particularly as lower SES is linked to reduced access to supportive resources.