title: Psychological sequelae of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The scope of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, was unprecedented in the United States. We assessed the prevalence and correlates of acute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among residents of Manhattan five to eight weeks after the attacks.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used random-digit dialing to contact a representative sample of adults living south of 110th Street in Manhattan. Participants were asked about demographic characteristics, exposure to the events of September 11, and psychological symptoms after the attacks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 1008 adults interviewed, 7.5 percent reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of current PTSD related to the attacks, and 9.7 percent reported symptoms consistent with current depression (with "current" defined as occurring within the previous 30 days). Among respondents who lived south of Canal Street (i.e., near the World Trade Center), the prevalence of PTSD was 20.0 percent. Predictors of PTSD in a multivariate model were Hispanic ethnicity, two or more prior stressors, a panic attack during or shortly after the events, residence south of Canal Street, and loss of possessions due to the events. Predictors of depression were Hispanic ethnicity, two or more prior stressors, a panic attack, a low level of social support, the death of a friend or relative during the attacks, and loss of a job due to the attacks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a substantial burden of acute PTSD and depression in Manhattan after the September 11 attacks. Experiences involving exposure to the attacks were predictors of current PTSD, and losses as a result of the events were predictors of current depression. In the aftermath of terrorist attacks, there may be substantial psychological morbidity in the population.
authors.affiliation: Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY 10029-5283, USA. sgalea@nyam.org
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galea
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahern
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Resnick
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kilpatrick
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bucuvalas
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vlahov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000401:Aircraft; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology*