After 9/11: Stress and Coping Across America

• NCJ Number: 199251
• Author(s): M. A. Schuster; B. D. Stein; L H. Jaycox; R. L. Collins; G. N. Marshall; M. N. Elliott; A. J. Zhou; D. E. Kanouse; J. L. Morrison; S. H. Berry
• Date Published: June 2002
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Rand Corporation
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For the United State Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions field hearing on "9/11 and NYC Children" June 10, 2002. Downloaded February 12, 2002.

Annotation

This document discusses a telephone survey assessing the immediate reactions of adults and their perceptions of their children’s reactions to the events of September 11, 2001.

Abstract

The survey was conducted 3 to 5 days after the attacks and was a nationally representative sample of United States households. The main goal of the survey was to learn whether people around the country experienced symptoms of stress at rates anywhere near those of people that lived within close proximity of the attacks. Results show that 90 percent of the adults reported experiencing, to at least some degree, one or more symptoms, such as feeling upset, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, irritability, and anger. Forty-four percent of the adults reported a substantial level of at least one symptom of stress. Those closest to the sites of attack had the most substantial stress. Children were also profoundly affected by the events. Thirty-five percent of parents reported that their children showed one or more signs of stress. Forty-seven percent reported that their children were worried about their own safety or the safety of a loved one. Those adults that watched the most television coverage of the attacks reported the most stress. Among children whose parents did not try to limit their television viewing, watching more television was associated with having more symptoms of stress. People responded to the tragic events in a variety of ways. Most people turned to others for social support, and many turned to their religion or another source of spiritual guidance. More than 30 percent donated money or blood. About 20 percent said they began to stockpile things like food or gas. Sixty percent reported participating in group activities such as memorials or vigils. About 40 percent of people reported avoiding activities that reminded them of the events. Nearly all the parents surveyed spoke with their children about the attacks. A follow-up survey is now being performed to assess how people’s initial responses have changed with time and to what extent individuals’ immediate responses predict later symptoms.