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September 11 attacks: prior interpersonal trauma, dysfunctional cognitions, and trauma response in a midwestern
Reginald D V Nixon1, Pallavi Nishith
1School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. reg.nixon@flinders.edu.au
Violence and Victims
|October 28, 2005
Summary
Prior trauma experiences significantly impact college students' adjustment after indirect exposure to the September 11 attacks. Negative beliefs and depression mediate these effects, highlighting the importance of past trauma.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Mental Health
Background:
- The September 11 attacks represented a significant trauma with widespread psychological impact.
- Understanding factors influencing adjustment to indirect trauma exposure is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between prior traumatic experiences and adjustment to indirect trauma exposure.
- To investigate the mediating roles of posttrauma cognitions and depressive symptomatology.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 133 undergraduate college students was assessed one month post-September 11 attacks.
- Data collected included posttrauma and depressive symptomatology, posttrauma cognitions, and previous traumatic experiences.
Main Results:
- Negative beliefs about oneself and the world mediated the link between prior interpersonal trauma and acute trauma symptoms.
- Acute depression mediated the relationship between prior interpersonal trauma and negative self-cognitions, including self-blame.
Conclusions:
- Previous traumatic experiences significantly influence short-term adjustment in college students indirectly exposed to trauma.
- Negative cognitions and depression play key mediating roles in the adjustment process following indirect trauma exposure.