Subjective Effect of September 11, 2001 Among Pregnant Women

Abstract

Prior history of trauma may sensitize individuals to subsequent trauma, including terrorist attacks. Using a convenience sample of secondary, cross-sectional data, pregnant women were grouped based on lifetime interpersonal violence history. Cumulative risk theory was used to evaluate the association of lifetime interpersonal violence history and subjective impact of the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorists attacks. Using hierarchical linear regression, cumulative risk theory was partially supported. Women with a history of only one type of interpfersonal violence reported greater effect of 9/11 than did women without a history, but women with both types of violence did not report a greater effect of 9/11 compared to women endorsing history of one type. These data corroborate the literature in that level of exposure to terrorist-related trauma predicts subjective reaction to the attacks. Future research with a larger sample and standardized instruments is warranted.

Disasters and Perinatal Health: A Systematic Review

“…In fact, more studies have found a reduction in risk (after 9/11 (35; 39; 47; 52) and hurricanes (34)) than have found an increase in risk (after earthquakes (37; 74) and floods (86; 87)). Although gestational age is measured less well than birthweight (99), the consistency of the results and lack of associations with very preterm birth (which is more consistently measured) implies a true lack of effect. Negative effects on fetal growth and birthweight have been seen more consistently, after terrorist attacks and bombings (35; 39; 45; 48; 51; 54; 57; 58), environmental disaster (65), and natural disasters (36; 75; 86; 92), though counter-examples can be found (34; 50; 52).…”