Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In September 11th Survivors

post Traumatic Stress Disorder In September 11th Survivors911 Surviv

This is a proposal for a study to examine whether the severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) increases in individuals who sustained injuries during the September 11th attacks compared to those who did not. Participants will be survivors of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, categorized into two groups based on whether they sustained injuries. Over a period of three years, these participants will complete monthly surveys assessing PTSD symptoms, such as re-experiencing, sleep disturbances, irritability, guilt, emotional numbing, and depression. The study aims to determine if injury is associated with more severe PTSD symptoms.

Previous research indicates that exposure to traumatic events can predict PTSD severity. Galea et al. (2002) found that direct exposure to the 9/11 attacks was a predictor of acute PTSD among Manhattan residents. Similarly, Meyer, Moore, and Hughes (2003) compared the experiences of rescue workers to refugees, suggesting that witnessing traumatic events and loss contributes significantly to PTSD development. Difede and Hoffman (2002) demonstrated that virtual reality exposure therapy could reduce PTSD symptoms, emphasizing the importance of exposure-based treatments. Lastly, the study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005) emphasized the need for effective mental health screening and intervention for rescue and recovery workers, underlining the mental health burden faced by those involved in disaster response. These studies collectively highlight trauma exposure's role in PTSD severity and the factors influencing recovery.

Paper For Above instruction

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental health condition precipitated by exposure to traumatic events, including natural disasters, accidents, or acts of terrorism. The aftermath of traumatic events, such as the September 11th terrorist attacks, has led to extensive research exploring the variables that affect PTSD development and severity. Among these variables, physical injury sustained during the trauma has been hypothesized to be associated with more severe PTSD symptoms. This paper presents a detailed proposal for a longitudinal study aimed at examining whether individuals injured during the September 11th attacks exhibit greater PTSD severity compared to uninjured survivors.

The primary purpose of the proposed study is to investigate the relationship between injury and PTSD severity among 9/11 survivors. This research builds on previous literature indicating that direct exposure to traumatic trauma—including witnessing death, destruction, and personal injury—correlates with higher PTSD symptomatology (Galea et al., 2002; Meyer et al., 2003). The study seeks to clarify whether injuries sustained during the attack contribute independently to PTSD severity or whether psychological exposure alone can account for the intensity of symptoms.

Introduction

Research into the psychological aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks consistently highlights traumatic exposure as a critical predictor of PTSD. Galea et al. (2002) demonstrated that direct exposure, such as being in close proximity to the attack, correlated with increased PTSD symptoms among Manhattan residents. Similarly, Meyer, Moore, and Hughes (2003) compared rescue workers' experiences to those of refugees, revealing that witnessing traumatic scenes, such as people jumping from the towers, contributed to profound psychological distress. Additionally, Difede and Hoffman (2002) showed that virtual reality exposure therapy could effectively reduce PTSD symptoms, underscoring the importance of trauma exposure in therapeutic contexts. The study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005) further emphasizes the necessity of mental health screening for responders, indicating that the physical and emotional toll of disaster response is profound.

Building upon this literature, the current study aims to specifically examine the role of physical injury in PTSD severity among survivors. Understanding whether injuries amplify symptoms such as re-experiencing, sleep disturbances, and emotional numbing can inform targeted interventions. The nature of trauma during 9/11 included both witnessed events and personal injuries, making it a complex and multifaceted trauma model. This research is unique in its focus on the intersection of physical injury and PTSD, contributing new insights into trauma recovery processes.

Method

The study will utilize a longitudinal, correlational design involving volunteer participants who survived the September 11th attacks. Approximately 50 to 60 participants will be recruited and divided into two groups: those who sustained physical injuries (e.g., burns, broken bones, cuts) and those who did not. Inclusion criteria will specify surviving the attack and availability for a three-year follow-up. Participants will be enrolled through advertisements and survivor networks, with informed consent obtained prior to participation.

Variables in this study include injury status (independent variable) and PTSD severity (dependent variable). PTSD severity will be operationalized through validated scales such as the PTSD Checklist (PCL) or Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). The injury variable will be dichotomous—injured versus uninjured—and documented via self-report and medical records when available.

Procedure

Participants will be assessed initially at baseline through structured interviews and questionnaires to establish initial PTSD symptom levels. Every month, over three years, participants will complete standardized surveys assessing PTSD symptoms, sleep quality, irritability, and emotional state. Data collection will occur through a combination of online surveys and in-person assessments at designated community centers in New York City. Data analysis will involve comparing the trajectory of PTSD symptoms between the injured and uninjured groups using repeated-measures ANOVA or mixed-effects modeling.

This design aims to clarify whether injury during trauma predicts more persistent and severe PTSD symptoms over time. Ethical considerations include ensuring confidentiality, providing mental health resources, and monitoring participants for severe distress, with protocols in place for referrals as needed.

Discussion

Potential challenges in this study include practical difficulties such as participant retention over a long period. Given the sensitive nature of PTSD, there is also a risk of emotional distress during assessments, which necessitates careful ethical handling and immediate support. Methodologically, isolating the impact of injury may be complicated by confounding variables such as witnessed trauma, individual resilience, and pre-existing mental health conditions. These factors may influence PTSD severity independently of injury status, and controlling for them will be essential for valid conclusions.

Furthermore, differences in injury severity, location, and physical health may affect outcomes differently, demanding careful operationalization and stratification of injury variables. Ethical concerns involve ensuring voluntary participation, informed consent, and access to psychological support. Addressing these challenges proactively will enhance the robustness and ethical integrity of the study.

References

• Galea, S., Ahern, J., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D., Bucuvalas, M., Gold, J., & Vlahov, D. (2002). Exposure to the World Trade Center attacks and mental health outcomes in New York City. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 15(3), 169–176.
• Meyer, Rick A., Hughes, Tammy L. (2003). September 11th Survivors and the Refugee Model. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 25(3), 211–225.
• Difede, J., & Hoffman, G. H. (2002). Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for World Trade Center Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 5(4), 529–535.
• American Medical Association. (2005). Mental health status of World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers and volunteers. Journal of the American Medical Association, 293(1), 30–31.
• Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 18(2), 76–82.
• Hoge, C. W., et al. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1), 13–22.
• Kessler, R. C., et al. (2005). Trauma and PTSD in the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 52(12), 1048–1060.
• Shalev, A. Y., et al. (2017). Long-term mental health consequences of disasters: Review and implications. American Journal of Psychiatry, 64(9), 766–776.
• Schlenger, W. E., et al. (2002). Psychological impact of terrorism. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 15(2), 83–94.
• Simpson, R., & Reed, M. (2008). PTSD and injury: The relationship between injury severity and psychological consequences. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 9(4), 533–545.