title: Media's role in broadcasting acute stress following the Boston Marathon bombings.
abstract: We compared the impact of media vs. direct exposure on acute stress response to collective trauma. We conducted an Internet-based survey following the Boston Marathon bombings between April 29 and May 13, 2013, with representative samples of residents from Boston (n = 846), New York City (n = 941), and the remainder of the United States (n = 2,888). Acute stress symptom scores were comparable in Boston and New York [regression coefficient (b) = 0.43; SE = 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), -2.36, 3.23], but lower nationwide when compared with Boston (b = -2.21; SE = 1.07; 95% CI, -4.31, -0.12). Adjusting for prebombing mental health (collected prospectively), demographics, and prior collective stress exposure, six or more daily hours of bombing-related media exposure in the week after the bombings was associated with higher acute stress than direct exposure to the bombings (continuous acute stress symptom total: media exposure b = 15.61 vs. direct exposure b = 5.69). Controlling for prospectively collected prebombing television-watching habits did not change the findings. In adjusted models, direct exposure to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Sandy Hook School shootings were both significantly associated with bombing-related acute stress; Superstorm Sandy exposure wasn't. Prior exposure to similar and/or violent events may render some individuals vulnerable to the negative effects of collective traumas. Repeatedly engaging with trauma-related media content for several hours daily shortly after collective trauma may prolong acute stress experiences and promote substantial stress-related symptomatology. Mass media may become a conduit that spreads negative consequences of community trauma beyond directly affected communities.
authors: Program in Nursing Science, Departments of Psychology and Social Behavior and Medicine, and Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697.
authors: E Alison
authors: EA
authors: Holman
authors: Dana Rose
authors: DR
authors: Garfin
authors: Roxane Cohen
authors: RC
authors: Silver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054042:Bombs; D001900:Boston; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D011845:Radio; D061108:Social Media; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television; D023481:Terrorism; D055815:Young Adult