The business of healing: focus group discussions of readjustment to the post-9/11 work environment among employees of affected agencies.
OBJECTIVE
Understanding postdisaster workplace adjustment may help guide interventions for postdisaster emotional functioning and recovery.


METHODS
One to two years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 12 focus groups were conducted with 85 employees of companies directly affected by the 9/11 attacks on New York City, to discuss mental health issues surrounding return to the workplace after the disaster.


RESULTS
Risk communication, tension between workplace productivity and employees' emotional needs, and postdisaster work space were topics discussed in the focus groups. Employees identified many effective responses by their companies after 9/11 relating to these areas of concern as well as gaps in response.


CONCLUSIONS
Recommended risk communication procedures were applied but not systematically. Little direction was available for balancing workplace productivity and employees' emotional needs or for strategic management of postdisaster workspace, suggesting areas for future disaster workplace research.
North
Carol S
CS
The North Texas VA Health Care System, Dallas, Tex, USA. Carol.North@UTSouthwestern.edu
Pfefferbaum
Betty
B
Hong
Barry A
BA
Gordon
Mollie R
MR
Kim
You-Seung
YS
Lind
Lisa
L
Pollio
David E
DE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003132:Commerce; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*