title: Stories behind the symptoms: a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 9/11 rescue and recovery workers.
abstract: A qualitative study of the experiences of rescue and recovery workers/volunteers at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 is reported. Information was extracted from a semi-structured clinical evaluation of 416 responders who were the initial participants in a large scale medical and mental health screening and treatment program for 9/11 responders. Qualitative analysis revealed themes that spanned four categories- occupational roles, exposures, attitudes/experiences, and outcomes related to the experience of Ground Zero. Themes included details regarding Ground Zero roles, grotesque experiences such as smells, the sense of the surreal nature of responding, and a turning to rituals to cope after leaving Ground Zero. These findings personalize the symptom reports and diagnoses that have resulted from the 9/11 responders' exposure to Ground Zero, yielding richer information than would otherwise be available for addressing the psychological dimensions of disasters. This work shows that large scale qualitative surveillance of trauma-exposed populations is both relevant and feasible.
authors: Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Corey B
authors: CB
authors: Bills
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Dodson
authors: Jeanne M
authors: JM
authors: Stellman
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Southwick
authors: Vansh
authors: V
authors: Sharma
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Herbert
authors: Jacqueline M
authors: JM
authors: Moline
authors: Craig L
authors: CL
authors: Katz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D018635:Rescue Work; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*