Study finds most Londoners 'coping well' after terrorist attacks

Almost two weeks after the London terrorist attacks, the majority of Londoners reported that they were "coping well" with their emotional responses, according to a study published by the BMJ today.

However, the emotional reactions to terrorist incidents vary and following the attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, and after the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City, high levels of stress were reported in a US study.

The assessment of the psychological effects of the attacks in London on 7 July 2005, involved a study of 1,010 Londoners.

The study found that just under a third of participants (31%) reported substantial stress, and 32% reported that they would now reduce the amount they used the tube, trains, buses, or go into central London.

Among other things, having difficulty contacting others by mobile phone, and believing you or a close friend or relative might have been injured or killed, were associated with higher levels of stress.

Muslims reported significantly more stress than people of other faiths, whereas being white and having previous experience of terrorism, such as previous experience of IRA terrorism in London, was associated with reduced stress.

However, 12 respondents (1%) felt that they needed professional help to deal with their emotions, whereas 71% had spoken to friends or relatives about the attacks.

The report's authors said that this finding suggested that most people are able to turn to lay support networks after traumatic events.

“Despite some study limitations, these results are reassuring,” said the authors. “Although the psychological needs of those intimately caught up in the attacks will require further assessment, we found no evidence of a widespread desire for professional counselling.”

The survey, conducted just one day prior to the failed second attack on London’s transport network on Thursday 21 July, asked Londoners about their current levels of stress and their travel intentions.

(SP/KMcA)