Subjective Effect of September 11, 2001 Among Pregnant Women: Is Cumulative History of Interpersonal Violence Important?

• NCJ Number: 237071
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2008 Pages: 780-797
• Author(s): Marilyn W. Lewis; Paul K. Cavanagh; Grace Ahn; Marianne R. Yoshioka
• Date Published: June 2008
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): F31AA05560-02
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; Office on Women's Health; Jewish Foundation for Education of Women (JFEW)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Cumulative risk theory was used to evaluate the association of lifetime interpersonal violence history and subjective impact of the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorists attacks.

Abstract

Prior history of trauma may sensitize individuals to subsequent trauma, including terrorist attacks. Using a convenience sample of secondary, cross-sectional data, pregnant women were grouped based on lifetime interpersonal violence history. Cumulative risk theory was used to evaluate the association of lifetime interpersonal violence history and subjective impact of the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorists attacks. Using hierarchical linear regression, cumulative risk theory was partially supported. Women with a history of only one type of interpersonal violence reported greater effect of 9/11 than did women without a history, but women with both types of violence did not report a greater effect of 9/11 compared to women endorsing history of one type. These data corroborate the literature in that level of exposure to terrorist-related trauma predicts subjective reaction to the attacks. Future research with a larger sample and standardized instruments is warranted. (Published Abstract)