Mental Health Issues in World Trade Center Workers
Author Information
Author(s): Stellman Jeanne Mager, Smith Rebecca P., Katz Craig L., Sharma Vansh, Charney Dennis S., Herbert Robin, Moline Jacqueline, Luft Benjamin J., Markowitz Steven, Udasin Iris, Harrison Denise, Baron Sherry, Landrigan Philip J., Levin Stephen M., Southwick Steven
Primary Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Hypothesis
What are the mental health outcomes and social function impairments in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers?
Conclusion
Working in 9/11 recovery operations is associated with chronic impairment of mental health and social functioning.
Supporting Evidence
- 11.1% of workers met criteria for probable PTSD.
- 8.8% met criteria for probable depression.
- 5.0% met criteria for probable panic disorder.
- 62% met criteria for substantial stress reaction.
- PTSD prevalence was comparable to that seen in returning Afghanistan war veterans.
Takeaway
Many workers who helped after 9/11 have serious mental health problems, like PTSD and depression, which affect their daily lives.
Methodology
10,132 WTC workers completed a self-administered mental health questionnaire 10 to 61 months after the attacks.
Potential Biases
Potential under-reporting of psychological symptoms due to stigma.
Limitations
Self-administered questionnaires may lead to under-reporting of symptoms and the study does not assess acute PTSD rates.
Participant Demographics
Average age of responders was 42.1 years, with a diverse ethnic background.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.21–2.28
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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