In:
Journal of Health and Social Behavior, SAGE Publications, Vol. 46, No. 3 ( 2005-09), p. 260-273
Abstract:
In the weeks following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, social commentators argued that America had profoundly “changed.” In light of these arguments and the literature on disasters, we examine the immediate and longer-term mental health consequences of September 11th using a national sample of fulltime American workers. We model the effects of temporal proximity to the attacks on depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption, while controlling for demographic characteristics. Our data revealed a significant increase in the number of depressive symptoms reported during the 4 weeks after the attacks. In the subsequent weeks, levels of depressive symptoms returned to pre-September 11th levels. Contrary to expectations, there was some indication of decreased alcohol consumption after September 11th, although these effects were modest. These analyses provide little support for popular assertions that September 11th resulted in lasting and measurable impacts on Americans' well-being.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-1465
,
2150-6000
DOI:
10.1177/002214650504600304
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2005
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2010257-4
SSG:
5,2
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