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World Trade Center Exposure and Posttraumatic Growth: Assessing Positive Psychological Change 15 Years after 9/11

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina D. Pollari

    (Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA)

  • Jennifer Brite

    (Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA)

  • Robert M. Brackbill

    (Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA)

  • Lisa M. Gargano

    (Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA)

  • Shane W. Adams

    (Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, NY 10019, USA
    Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA)

  • Pninit Russo-Netzer

    (Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
    School of Advanced Studies, Achva Academic College, Arugot 7980400, Israel)

  • Jonathan Davidov

    (Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • Victoria Banyard

    (School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA)

  • James E. Cone

    (Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA)

Abstract

We evaluated the presence of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attack and how indicators of psychosocial well-being, direct 9/11-related exposure, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) relate to PTG. PTG was examined among 4934 participants using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to determine if the original factor structure of the PTGI fits our data and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the appropriate factor structure. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between PTG and indicators of psychosocial well-being, 9/11-related exposure, and PTSS, controlling for covariates. CFA identified a two-factor structure of the PTGI as a better fit than the original five-factor model. Participants who experienced very high 9/11-related exposure level (ß = 7.72; 95% CI: 5.75–9.70), higher PTSS at waves 1 (ß = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.08–0.18) and 2 (ß = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.05–0.14), high social integration (ß = 5.71; 95% CI: 4.47, 6.96), greater social support (ß = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.61), and higher self-efficacy (ß = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.48) had higher PTGI scores. Our findings suggest PTG is present, 15 years following the 9/11 terrorist attack. Very high-level 9/11 exposure, PTSS, and indicators of psychosocial well-being were associated with PTG.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina D. Pollari & Jennifer Brite & Robert M. Brackbill & Lisa M. Gargano & Shane W. Adams & Pninit Russo-Netzer & Jonathan Davidov & Victoria Banyard & James E. Cone, 2020. "World Trade Center Exposure and Posttraumatic Growth: Assessing Positive Psychological Change 15 Years after 9/11," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:104-:d:468508
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Sherbourne, Cathy Donald & Stewart, Anita L., 1991. "The MOS social support survey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 705-714, January.
    3. Lisa M. Gargano & Kimberly Mantilla & Monique Fairclough & Shengchao Yu & Robert M. Brackbill, 2018. "Review of Non-Respiratory, Non-Cancer Physical Health Conditions from Exposure to the World Trade Center Disaster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, February.
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