Health Responses of New York City Firefighter Spouses and Their Families Post-September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks

Abstract

Much attention has been focused on New York City firefighters and their responses to the traumatic events of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, given their extensive involvement in rescue efforts, and the overwhelming loss of life among the fire department employees. It quickly became evident that the impact of this horrendous event had resonated deeply not only on the families and children of the firefighters who gave their lives, but also on those who had survived. The goal of this study was to conduct semi-structured focus groups of women whose firefighter husbands were directly involved in rescue efforts at Ground Zero. We hoped to identify patterns in survivors' responses to the events as well as any coping mechanisms that the participants used to manage their exposure to the tragedy. An analysis of transcripts from interviews reveals the nature and extent of the impact of the trauma on these women, their husbands, and their children. There were two recurring themes that were apparent from the interview data. Women used patterns of connectedness to other spouses to cope with the emotional impact of the event. In addition, participants reported a constant need to be vigilant in helping their families cope. Issues related to the family's physical, mental, and spiritual health in the context of nursing practice are discussed.

An Interview Study of the Experiences of Firefighters in Regard to Psychological Contract and Stressors

“…A few interviewees mentioned that they would prefer not to talk to their family because of the distressing nature of incidents they work with and to avoid their families worrying about them at work. Similar findings were reported by Menendez et al (2006) and Yoo and Matsui (2012).…”

After the fire: the mental health consequences of fire disasters

“…Menendez et al [32] conducted semi-structured focus groups of women whose firefighter husbands were directly involved in rescue efforts at Ground Zero. An analysis of transcripts from interviews reveals the nature and extent of the impact of the trauma on these women, their husbands, and their children.…”

Autonomic reactivity and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis dysregulation in spouses of Oklahoma City bombing survivors 7 years after the attack

“…Prior studies have documented psychological sequelae in the spouses of military veterans [2], rescuers and responders [3–5], and peace makers [6], but only one of these studies examined biological stress measures [5]. Pfefferbaum et al [5] found autonomic reactivity in a small nonrepresentative sample of spouses of firefighters who responded to the Oklahoma City bombing; their study did not use a comparison sample and did not examine HPA axis functioning.…”

“…Research has examined the spouses of military veterans [2], rescuers, and responders [3–5] and peace makers [6]. The experiences and consequences of trauma in terrorism victims and their spouses may differ from those of military veterans, rescuers and responders, and peace makers in several ways: (1) responders and service personnel have been selected, or have self selected, for involvement in the activities that resulted in their trauma exposure presumably with selection based on certain strengths; (2) these individuals typically undergo training which may enhance their coping and resilience; (3) they are able to anticipate their involvement in such events; and (4) they are likely to see themselves in a helping role rather than as primary victims of an event.…”