The impact of pretrauma analogue GAD and posttraumatic emotional reactivity following exposure to the September 11 terrorist attacks: a longitudinal study

Behav Ther. 2008 Sep;39(3):262-76. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2007.08.005. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Abstract

The relation between analogue generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) assessed the day before the events of September 11, 2001 (9/11) and long-term outcome was examined in 44 young adults who were directly exposed the following day to the terrorist attacks in New York City. After controlling for high exposure to the attacks, preattack analogue GAD was associated with greater social and work disability, loss of psychosocial resources, anxiety and mood symptoms, and worry, but not symptoms of posttraumatic stress, assessed 12 months after 9/11. Fear and avoidance of emotions assessed 4 months after 9/11 statistically mediated the relation between preattack analogue GAD and social and work disability, loss of psychosocial support, mood and anxiety symptoms, and worry at 12-month follow-up. Avoidance of emotions 4 months after 9/11 also mediated the relation between preattack analogue GAD and posttraumatic stress symptoms 12 months after 9/11.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological / physiology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology*
  • Depression / physiopathology
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Emotions / physiology
  • Fear / physiology
  • Fear / psychology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • New York City
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • September 11 Terrorist Attacks / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors