9/11-related PTSD among highly exposed populations: a systematic review 15 years after the attack.
Psychol Med
; 48(4): 537-553, 2018 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28805168
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The 11 September 2001 (9/11) attacks were unprecedented in magnitude and mental health impact. While a large body of research has emerged since the attacks, published reviews are few, and are limited by an emphasis on cross-sectional research, short time frame, and exclusion of treatment studies. Additionally, to date, there has been no systematic review of available longitudinal information as a unique data set. Consequently, knowledge regarding long-term trajectories of 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among highly exposed populations, and whether available treatment approaches effectively address PTSD within the context of mass, man-made disaster, remains limited.METHODS:
The present review aimed to address these gaps using a systematic review of peer-reviewed reports from October 2001 to May 2016. Eligible reports were of longitudinal studies of PTSD among highly exposed populations. We identified 20 reports of 9/11-related PTSD, including 13 longitudinal prevalence studies and seven treatment studies.RESULTS:
Findings suggest a substantial burden of 9/11-related PTSD among those highly exposed to the attack, associated with a range of sociodemographic and back-ground factors, and characteristics of peri-event exposure. While most longitudinal studies show declining rates of prevalence of PTSD, studies of rescue/recovery workers have documented an increase over time. Treatment studies were few, and generally limited by methodological shortcomings, but support exposure-based therapies.CONCLUSION:
Future directions for research, treatment, and healthcare policy are discussed.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
/
Survivors
/
September 11 Terrorist Attacks
/
Exposure to Violence
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Psychol Med
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States