A new survey published today in the British Medical Journal has found ‘substantial levels of stress’ amongst 31% of Londoners as a result of the London bombings. The survey questioned 1,010 people between 11 and 13 days after the London was rocked by terrorists bombings on the 7th July 2005.
London Bombings: Psychology of Terrorism
London Bombings: Profile of a Terrorist
London Bombings: Why We Are Glued To The TV
Researchers randomly dialled telephone numbers asking Londoners to participate.
Amongst the other findings were:
- 55% of people felt their lives were in danger from terrorism.
- 58% felt friends and family were in danger from terrorism.
- 86% felt that another attack was likely – 86% were, sadly, right.
- Fully one-third of Londoners intended to change their mode of transport as a result.
- Previous experience of terrorism was linked to lower levels of stress.
- Inability to contact friends and family linked to higher stress.
- Higher levels of distress found in non-white and Muslim Londonders.
The researchers acknowledge that a weakness of their study is that those who were unaffected by the bombings may have been less likely to agree to inclusion in the study. Still, 31% is high.
In response the NHS have set up a telephone helpline for those affected which will screen for post-traumatic stress disorder. The phone number is 0845 9502878.
Psychological and behavioural reactions to the bombings in London on 7 July 2005: cross sectional survey of a representative sample of Londoners [Full article, PDF]
