Terrorism, distress, and drinking: vulnerability and protective factors

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• The September 11th attacks (9/11) significantly impacted mental health and drinking behaviors across the United States.
• Limited research has explored vulnerability and protective factors moderating stress exposure effects from 9/11.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how terrorism-related fears, workplace stressors, and social relationships influenced distress and drinking outcomes post-9/11.
• To identify individual and contextual factors that may increase risk for negative psychological and behavioral responses to terrorism-related stress.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal workplace cohort study surveyed respondents before 9/11 and in 2003 and 2005.
• Regression analyses examined terrorism beliefs/fears, workplace stressors (harassment, abuse, low latitude), social factors (marital/parental status, support), and their interaction with distress and drinking outcomes.

Main Results:

• Terrorism-related fears significantly interacted with workplace stressors and social relationships in predicting distress and/or drinking.
• Pre-existing distress and drinking levels were controlled for in the analyses.
• Gender differences in the observed effects were identified.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with heightened workplace stressors and weaker interpersonal bonds may be at greater risk for distress and deleterious drinking following terrorism-related events.
• Findings highlight the complex interplay of individual, social, and contextual factors in moderating stress responses to large-scale traumatic events.
• Further research is recommended to explore these vulnerabilities and inform targeted interventions.