Positive and negative changes following vicarious exposure to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The negative effects of vicarious traumatic exposure are well known. However, less is known about potential positive changes following vicarious exposure. Respondents living in Britain (n = 108) were surveyed about their vicarious exposure to the terrorist attacks of September 11. They also completed measures of their perceptions of the events of September 11, and positive (valuing friends and family more) and negative changes (loss of meaning, greater anxiety). Results revealed that respondents who perceived the terrorist attacks to be an attack on their own values and beliefs, or the work of religious fanatics, were more likely to report positive changes. Negative and positive psychological changes were positively associated.
Linley
P Alex
PA
Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom. p.a.linley@warwick.ac.uk
Joseph
Stephen
S
Cooper
Rachel
R
Harris
Sophie
S
Meyer
Caroline
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000401:Aircraft; D001290:Attitude; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010465:Perception; D012067:Religion; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D014768:Virginia; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*