The September 11th 2001 Terrorist Attacks and Reports of Posttraumatic Growth among a Multi-Ethnic Sample of Adolescents.

Abstract

Correlates of posttraumatic growth (PTG), the construing of benefits from a traumatic event, attributed to the September 11th terrorist attacks were examined among 513 middle school adolescents (mean age=13.5 years; 63% female; 44% Hispanic/Latino, 25% Asian, 16% White, 10% multiethnic/other, and 4% Persian; all residing in California). One-third of the participants, on average, reported experiencing positive changes post- 9/11 in the following areas: appreciation of life, life priorities, spirituality, relationships, and self-reliance. Hispanic and White, compared to Persian (largely Iranian), participants had significantly higher PTG scores. Discussion of the terrorist attacks, identification with a religion, and optimism were positively associated with PTG, while alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and anxiety were inversely associated with PTG. Ethnicity, discussion of the terrorist attacks, identification with a religion, optimism, anxiety, and alcohol use remained associated with PTG after adjusting f...