@article{ref1,
title="Stories behind the symptoms: a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 9/11 rescue and recovery workers",
journal="Psychiatric quarterly",
year="2009",
author="Bills, Corey B. and Dodson, Nancy and Stellman, Jeanne M. and Southwick, Steven and Sharma, Vansh and Herbert, Robin and Moline, Jacqueline M. and Katz, Craig L.",
volume="80",
number="3",
pages="173-189",
abstract="A qualitative study of the experiences of rescue and recovery workers/volunteers at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 is reported. Information was extracted from a semi-structured clinical evaluation of 416 responders who were the initial participants in a large scale medical and mental health screening and treatment program for 9/11 responders. Qualitative analysis revealed themes that spanned four categories- occupational roles, exposures, attitudes/experiences, and outcomes related to the experience of Ground Zero. Themes included details regarding Ground Zero roles, grotesque experiences such as smells, the sense of the surreal nature of responding, and a turning to rituals to cope after leaving Ground Zero. These findings personalize the symptom reports and diagnoses that have resulted from the 9/11 responders' exposure to Ground Zero, yielding richer information than would otherwise be available for addressing the psychological dimensions of disasters. This work shows that large scale qualitative surveillance of trauma-exposed populations is both relevant and feasible.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-2720",
doi="10.1007/s11126-009-9105-7",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11126-009-9105-7"
}