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The behavioral consequences of terrorism: a meta-analysis
Charles DiMaggio1, Sandro Galea
1Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. cjd11@columbia.edu
Summary
Terrorist attacks cause significant psychological distress, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affecting 12-16% of those impacted. Early identification of at-risk individuals, such as survivors and those with prior psychiatric conditions, is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Behavioral and psychological consequences are primary goals of terrorism.
- Effective interventions require understanding these impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze population-level behavioral and psychological consequences of terrorism.
- To focus on the prevalence and trends of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published and unpublished studies post-1980.
- Tabulation of results and random effects models for effect size calculation.
Main Results:
- PTSD prevalence in directly affected populations is 12-16% in the year following an incident.
- PTSD prevalence declines by approximately 25% over that year.
- Higher rates observed in survivors, rescue workers, and in Western Europe compared to North America.
Conclusions:
- Prior psychiatric diagnoses, female gender, and direct exposure (survivor/rescuer) are strong predictors of PTSD.
- These factors are vital for developing triage, outreach, and treatment programs.
- Understanding variability in PTSD rates is key for targeted public health strategies.