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Web End = J Immigrant Minority Health (2016) 18:764770 DOI 10.1007/s10903-015-0263-4
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Web End = Impact of the Boston Marathon Bombing and Its Aftermath on Refugees and Survivors of Torture
Linda Piwowarczyk1,2 Dana Rous1 Anna Mancuso1 Kathleen Flinton1
Erica Hastings1 Leigh Forbush1 Amy Shepherd1
Published online: 20 August 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015
Abstract On April 15, 2013, Boston residents and guests gathered for the Boston Marathon. Two explosives at the nish line killed three people and injured hundreds of others. As part of our clinical encounters, patients of the Boston Center for Refugee Health & Human Rights were asked about the marathon bombing. We were concerned about the high level of armed security as many of our patients had been detained in their countries of origin. Eighty patients seen between April 16 and July 7, 2013 were asked about their experience of the Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath. A retrospective chart review was undertaken and data analyzed using Atlas.ti & SPSS. Approximately 86 % of those interviewed were reminded of their past trauma. The following themes emerged: triggering and trauma related symptoms, content specic cognitive schemas, recognition of the universality of violence, fears of discrimination, issues surrounding safety, and specic concerns of Muslims.
Keywords Asylum seekers Refugees Survivors of
torture Terrorism Traumatic stress
Introduction
On Patriots day, April 15th, 2013, two homemade explosives detonated at the nish line of the 117th Boston Marathon. The explosives killed three people and injured
approximately 264 others. The world watched the aftermath as the city was challenged to come together showing its resilience (Boston Strong). Acts of terrorism are known to trigger posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the exacerbation of mental health symptoms in populations who have previously suffered trauma [14]. Survivors of terrorist attacks often report substantial stress, perceived threat to self, and reductions in travel [5]. The attacks of September 11, 2001 elicited a similar response [69]. In addition, Baker [10] unearthed a rapid transition of social realities following the attacks. The social reality shift for immigrant...