National Study of Emotional and Perceptional Changes since September 11

Abstract

This study examined emotional and perceptional changes American people had experienced 10 to 12 months after the September 11 (9-11) terrorist attacks. A nationally representative sample of 807 U.S. adults ages 18 or older was interviewed using random-digit dialing that included unpublished numbers and new listings. The results indicated that 5 to 8% of the respondents had probable posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms such as angry outbursts, trouble falling asleep, difficulty concentrating, and experiencing nightmares even 10 to 12 months after the attacks. Twenty-two percent reported more frequent life-threatening perceptions and 50% more concerns about personal safety than before the 9-11 attacks. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses indicated that gender, age, race/ethnicity, geographic region, and employment status were significant predictors for experiencing differential emotional and perceptional changes.