Worker productivity and outpatient service use after the September 11th attacks: Results from the New York City Terrorism Outcome Study

Abstract

This study suggests that while the WTCD had an impact on worker productivity within the first year after the attack, this did not generally persist, especially after controlling for baseline status. Having PTSD or experiencing stressful life events at follow-up, however, is associated with lower quality workdays, even after controlling for baseline status.

Peritraumatic panic attacks and health outcomes two years after psychological trauma: Implications for intervention and research

“…To have PTSD, the person had to meet criteria A through F for one or more of these traumatic events in the past 12 months. Data supporting the validity of this instrument have been presented elsewhere and suggested that this scale can successfully diagnose PTSD in the general population (Boscarino et al, 2004a,b; Adams and Boscarino, 2005b, 2006; Boscarino et al, 2006a,b,c). For the current analyses we so defined PTSD as present if the respondent had subclinical or partial PTSD at follow-up.…”

“…The combined mean lifetime trauma exposure at follow-up was 1.9 (SD = 2.5). All three of these stressor measures were used and validated in previous WTCD studies and discussed in detail elsewhere (Galea et al, 2002; Boscarino et al, 2004a, b; Adams and Boscarino, 2005a,b; Adams et al, 2006a; Boscarino et al, 2006b,c). …”

“…In the current study, as discussed below, we used a general hierarchical model that examined the significance of PPA in predicting longer-term health outcomes after the WTCD that was used in previous studies (Adams and Boscarino, 2005b; Boscarino et al, 2006c). Another study suggested that while the WTCD had a major impact on mental health status among NYC workers 1 year after this event, 2 years after the attack these effects had dissipated (Boscarino et al, 2006c).…”

“…Another study suggested that while the WTCD had a major impact on mental health status among NYC workers 1 year after this event, 2 years after the attack these effects had dissipated (Boscarino et al, 2006c). Consequently, and inconsistent with previous reports (Bryant and Panasetis, 2001; Lawyer et al, 2006; Person et al, 2006; Pfefferbaum et al, 2006), we hypothesized that experiencing a PPA during or shortly after the WTCD would not be predictive of longer-term health outcomes, once pre-disaster mental health status and other risk factors were controlled.…”

Association of post-traumatic stress disorder and work performance: A survey from an emergency medical service, Karachi, Pakistan

“…A study from New York showed significant association of PTSD with low quality of work days in people who witnessed the world trade center incident. [26] Detroit survey of trauma reports significant work loss of 11.4 (SE 0.6) days per capita in people with PTSD [10] and 2.4 (SE 1.06) days in full time workers from Australia. [27] These statistics reflect considerable variation in emotional reaction of stress on job performance.…”