Long-term mental health outcomes of survivors of the World Trade Center Attack
Summary
Adverse childhood events (ACEs) have been consistently associated with poor mental health in adulthood, including increased risk of depression, PTSD, and unhealthy drinking. Similarly, exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) in adulthood has been associated with increased risk of poor mental health and substance use. However, most individuals exposed to PTEs do not develop mental or substance use disorders. The extent to which exposure to ACEs modifies the relationship between exposure to PTE in adulthood and poor mental health or substance use remains largely unexplored. The WTC registry provides an opportunity to advance understanding of the relationships among ACEs, PTEs in adulthood, and mental health. This research aims to answer the question: Does childhood exposure to trauma increase the risk, severity, or chronicity of depression, PTSD, or unhealthy drinking after experiencing mass trauma in adulthood?