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Posttraumatic stress symptoms, PTSD, and risk factors among lower Manhattan residents 2–3 years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
Author(s) -
DiGrande Laura,
Perrin Megan A.,
Thorpe Lorna E.,
Thalji Lisa,
Murphy Joseph,
Wu David,
Farfel Mark,
Brackbill Robert M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20345
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , psychiatry , posttraumatic stress , ethnic group , injury prevention , occupational safety and health , suicide prevention , poison control , terrorism , psychology , anxiety disorder , public health , risk factor , medicine , demography , clinical psychology , environmental health , population , anxiety , nursing , archaeology , pathology , sociology , anthropology , history
Manhattan residents living near the World Trade Center may have been particularly vulnerable to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks. In 2003–2004, the authors administered the PTSD Checklist to 11,037 adults who lived south of Canal Street in New York City on 9/11. The prevalence of probable PTSD was 12.6% and associated with older age, female gender, Hispanic ethnicity, low education and income, and divorce. Injury, witnessing horror, and dust cloud exposure on 9/11 increased risk for chronic PTSD. Postdisaster risk factors included evacuation and rescue and recovery work. The results indicate that PTSD is a continued health problem in the local community. The relationship between socioeconomic status and PTSD suggests services must target marginalized populations. Followup is necessary on the course and long‐term consequences of PTSD.