Changes in Affect,Cognition,and Perceived Behavioral Changes Among Vicarious Victims of the Paris Terrorist Attacks of November 13,2015

Abstract

Terrorist attacks are supposed to hit not only the direct victims but the entire society. In this prospective longitudinal study, we examined changes in mood, life satisfaction, and terror-related cognitions and perceived behavioral changes 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the terrorist attacks of November 13, 2015, in Paris in a sample of the so-called vicarious victims (N = 201). Average mood levels dropped significantly after the attacks compared to preattack levels but recovered within 8 weeks. Average levels of life satisfaction did not change significantly across this time period. Level of preoccupation with the attacks, perceptions of the likelihood of future terrorist attacks, and perceived changes in terror-related cognitions and behaviors declined over the 8 weeks after the attacks. Together, these findings indicate that terrorist attacks may impact changes in affect, cognition, and behavior even among vicarious victims; however, these changes are only temporary.

Keywords

terrorist attacks major life events subjective well-being adaptation mood longitudinal data analysis

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