A new study published in PLOS Mental Health explores how the trauma of the September 11, 2001 attacks may still affect families more than two decades later. Researchers examined the mental health of adult children whose parents worked as World Trade Center responders after the attacks. The study focused especially on responders who developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The researchers wanted to understand whether trauma can be passed from one generation to another. This process is known as intergenerational transmission of trauma. It has been studied in families affected by war and genocide, but less attention has been given to the families of emergency responders and recovery workers involved in 9/11.
The study included 176 responder parents and 270 of their adult children. The parents were either traditional first responders, such as police officers, or recovery workers who helped clean up Ground Zero after the attacks. Both parents and children completed surveys about depression, anxiety, PTSD, alcohol use, family relationships, and social support.
The findings showed a clear connection between the mental health of parents and that of their children. Adult children were more likely to experience PTSD, anxiety, panic symptoms, and depression if their parents had severe 9/11 exposure or ongoing mental health problems. For example, children whose parents spent longer periods at the World Trade Center site or were exposed to human remains had a higher risk of mental health difficulties.
The study also found that family relationships played an important role. Poor parent-child relationships were linked to higher levels of depression and alcohol use disorder in adult children. Low social support and strained family connections also increased the likelihood of mental health problems. Researchers noted that trauma may be passed down not only through genetics, but also through emotional stress, family tension, and changes in parenting behavior caused by PTSD.
Interestingly, the study found that many adult children reported high levels of anxiety and depression even though they were not directly exposed to the attacks themselves. This suggests that the emotional impact of a major disaster can continue across generations and affect family life for many years.
The researchers believe these findings highlight the need for long-term mental health support for both responders and their families. They argue that helping parents cope with trauma and strengthening family relationships could reduce mental health risks for future generations. More than twenty years after 9/11, the study shows that its psychological effects are still being felt in many families today.
Predoctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology in University of Barcelona.