Anniversary Reaction 10
Discussion
The findings support the hypothesis that the quasi-primary
relationships described by Gans enjoyed by police officers
living in suburban and outer city communities acted as an
expedient diffusion process for the officer and either helped
delay or mitigate the anniversary effect in PTSD.
The data collection method, while non-traditional, produced
a data-rich environment in which the members of the service were
able to speak candidly about their experiences on September 11
th
and the weeks and months following. Further, the researcher’s
association with the NYPD gave him unique currency with the
subjects in that they were more willing to trust him than a
“civilian.”
It should be made clear out the outset that while these
officers have not engaged in any of the expected maladaptive
behaviors, they are not “out of the woods” by any means. Indeed,
after reading some of their often times heartrending and
poignant accounts, one can see that these individuals are deeply
effected by the attacks.
The subjects also exhibited a surprising amount of
emotional literacy for a group of people that have long been
seen as closed or out of touch with themselves. While they try
to separate their occupational selves from their normal selves
Convention