Media Exposure to Collective Trauma, Mental Health, and Functioning: Does It Matter What You See?

Abstract

Media exposure to collective trauma is associated with acute stress (AS) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Qualities of media exposure (e.g., amount, graphic features) contributing to this distress are poorly understood. A representative national sample (with New York and Boston oversamples; N = 4,675) completed anonymous, online surveys 2 to 4 weeks after the Boston Marathon bombings (BMB; Wave 1, or W1) and again 6 months later (Wave 2, or W2; N = 3,598). W1 assessed BMB-related AS and media exposure (i.e., hours of media consumption, graphic image content) 1 week post-BMB; W2 assessed PTSS, fear of future terrorism, and functional impairment. Greater exposure to graphic (bloody) images was associated with higher W1 AS and increased PTSS, fear of future terrorism, and functional impairment at W2. W1 AS, W2 PTSS, and fear of future terrorism mediated the association between media and functional impairment. Graphic image exposure is associated with mental-health symptoms linked to impaired functioning.