1. Increased Incidence Rate of Trauma- and Stressor-related Disorders in Denmark After the Breivik Attacks in Norway.
- Author
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Hansen, Bertel T., Dinesen, Peter T., and Østergaard, Søren D.
- Subjects
TERRORISM & psychology ,POST-traumatic stress disorder ,PSYCHOLOGICAL stress ,DISEASE incidence ,ACQUISITION of data ,PSYCHOLOGICAL factors - Abstract
Background: On 22 July 2011, Anders Breivik killed 77 adults and children in Norway. Having recently documented increases in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders in Denmark after the 9/11 attacks, we hypothesized that the Breivik attacks-due to their geographic proximity-would be followed by even larger increases in Denmark.Methods: Using population-based data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (1995-2012), we conducted an intervention analysis of the change in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders after the Breivik attacks.Results: The incidence rate increased by 16% over the following 1½ years after the Breivik attacks, corresponding to 2736 additional cases. In comparison, 9/11 was followed by a 4% increase. We also present evidence of a subsequent surge in incidence stimulated by media attention.Conclusion: This study bolsters previous findings on extra-national consequences of terrorism and indicates that geographic proximity and media coverage may exacerbate effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
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