Meta-analysis of the psychological impact of terrorist threats on violence in the American workplace

The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of the psychological impact of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 (9/11) and the continuing terrorist threats of violence on the American workplace. Two sets of analysis were developed from a multi methodological strategy using a survey and a meta-analysis of dissertations focused on leadership, the Terror Management Theory (TMT), and workplace violence. The results identified important implications for psychologists who may have to address the psychological impact of these terrorist threats. The findings from the meta-analysis indicated that the post 9/11 crisis management and effective organizational leadership factors were important in reducing the psychological impact of the attacks on the American workplace. The results supported the TMT by indicating that social motivation and affiliations are distinct anxiety buffers reducing mortality salience. Furthermore, the results also showed there is a need to modify current workplace violence training to include a worldviews awareness component. A survey of 120 APA psychologists supported a cautious approach to labeling the stress from continued threats of terrorist violence on the American workplace as being generally symptomatic of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The findings indicated both positive coping strategies and negative psychological factors for stress are present in the American workplace. An experimental psychometric scale was developed for this dissertation. Ideas for future research included testing the validity of this scale.