The mental health of the Puerto Rican population has been fundamentally reshaped by a rapid, chronological succession of large-scale emergencies. This cycle of disasters has created a complex environment of sustained psychological distress.
Clinical findings reveal that βCumulative Stressor Effectsβ serve as the primary driver of psychological morbidity on the island (Rivera et al., 2024). This phenomenon occurs when individuals are subjected to multiple concurrent or sequential stressors, most notably the loss of essential utilities (water and electricity), persistent fear for personal safety, and catastrophic property damage.
