Exposure, threat appraisal, and lost confidence as predictors of PTSD symptoms following September 11, 2001.
Six months after September 11, 2001 (9/11), 124 New York City workers participated in a self-report study of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although direct exposure to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 was limited, estimates of the prevalence of current PTSD in this mostly ethnic minority population ranged from 7.8% to 21.2%, as measured by the PTSD Checklist (F. W. Weathers, B. T. Litz, D. S. Herman, J. A. Huska, & T. M. Keane, 1993). Consistent with the study hypotheses, direct exposure to the attacks of 9/11, worries about future terrorist attacks (threat appraisal), and reduced confidence in self after 9/11 each predicted symptoms of PTSD, even after controlling for symptoms of anxiety and depression. These results support the idea that a traumatic event's meaning is associated with PTSD symptoms. Gender was not a significant predictor of symptoms, once other demographic variables were controlled. Most respondents who met the criteria for current PTSD had not sought therapy or counseling.
Piotrkowski
Chaya S
CS
Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, USA. piotrkowski@fordham.edu
Brannen
Stephen J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors