ERIC Number: EJ690504
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-May
Pages: 26
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0886-2605
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Available Date: N/A
Hope, Meaning, and Growth Following the September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks
Ai, Amy; Cascio, Toni; Santangelo, Linda K.; Evans-Campbell, Teresa
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, v20 n5 p523-548 May 2005
Positive psychologists found the increase of seven character strengths that encompass the so-called theological virtues, including hope and spirituality, in Americans after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Little is known about how they may affect post-September 11, 2001, mental health. Using multivariate analysis, this study investigated the relationship of hope and spiritual meaning with depression and anxiety in a sample of 457 students 3 months after September 11, 2001. Both characters contributed to lower levels of symptoms. In qualitative analysis, of 313 answers to an open-ended question regarding personal change, four categories emerged. The first three were consonant with other studies on posttraumatic growth (PTG), including changes in the self or behavior, relationships, and worldviews. The fourth category unique to September 11, 2001, was changes in political views. These findings offer further credence to the study of positive aspects resulting from violence-related trauma and highlight the needs for addressing the nature of traumatic events and PTG.
Descriptors: Religious Factors, Personality Traits, Terrorism, Depression (Psychology), Student Attitudes, Anxiety, Psychological Patterns, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Violence, College Students, Mental Health, Political Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
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