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CBS News/New York Times PollFor release: Thursday September 8, 20116:30 PM EDTTen Years after the 9/11 Attacks: A Changed Country, an Emotional Toll
August, 2011This CBS News/New York Times Poll explores the impact and aftermath of the September 11
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 attacks ten years ago, and includes interviews with Americans overall, residents of New YorkCity, and those who report a close friend or family member was killed in the attacks on 9/11.
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More than 4 in 5 say the country has changed as a result of the attacks. Mostcommonly, Americans think people have become more cautious and fearful.
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The 9/11 attacks are still on the minds of many Americans and New Yorkers. 27% of thepublic thinks about it at least every week, as do 31% of New Yorkers.
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Among close friends and family members of those killed that day, a majority says theirlives returned mostly to normal within five years, but just three in ten have completelyrecovered emotionally from the attacks; 57% say they have recovered partially.
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One in four Americans think the first responders who worked at the World Trade Centerimmediately after the attacks have not been treated fairly since the attacks; that rises to58% among New Yorkers.
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While most New Yorkers don’t see a lot of progress at the Ground Zero site, three in fourapprove of what they have seen of the memorial there.
A Changed Country
82% of Americans say the country has changed as a result of the terrorist attacks of September11, 2001. This view is broadly held by men, women, Democrats, Republicans, and other groups.
Has America Changed Since 9/11?
Yes 82%No 13When asked to name specifically how America has changed, 23% say people are more awareand cautious, 16% think the country is more fearful, and 12% point to the heightened securitymeasures. Fewer cite a general change in attitude (4%), restrictions on civil liberties (4%), andpride in their country or more patriotism (3%).
How Has America Changed since 9/11?
People more aware and cautious 23%Country is more fearful 16More security 12General change in attitude 4Less civil liberties/personal freedoms 4Proud to be an American/more patriotism 3
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After the attacks, the country united around President George W. Bush and against the threat ofterrorism. Today, 47% say that patriotism and unity has faded. 31% believe Americans are morepatriotic and united today, while 18% think the level is the same. Those in New York City holdsimilar views.
Are Americans Just As Patriotic and United Now As After the 9/11 Attacks?
Americans New YorkersJust as patriotic & united 18% 16%More 31 33Less 47 45
The Emotional Toll
For 27% of Americans, September 11
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, 2001, weighs heavily on their minds; even 10 yearslater, they think about the events of that day at least every week. Among New Yorkers, 31%think about 9/11 every week.
How Often Do You Think About 9/11?
Americans New YorkersEvery day 10% 16%Every week 17 15Once in a while 57 55Hardly ever 15 12Sadness is the emotion most associated with the events of 9/11; 41% cite that. 25% say angermost expresses their feelings about 9/11, and another one in five still feel disbelief or shock.
What One Emotion Most Expresses How You Feel About 9/11?
AmericansSadness 41%Anger 25Disbelief/shock 19Fear 4For some, there have been lasting mental and emotional effects due to the attacks.17% of Americans say they themselves or someone they know has been diagnosed with amental health issue such as depression, anxiety or post traumatic stress disorder as a result ofthe terrorist attacks. That number rises to 28% among those in New York City.
Know Someone with Mental Health Issue as a Result of 9/11?
Americans New YorkersYes 17% 28%No 81 69Among those who know someone who was diagnosed with a mental health disorder, most saythey continue to suffer with that affliction today.
Person with Mental Health Issue Still Suffering Today?
(among those who know someone diagnosed with mental health issue)Americans New YorkersYes 70% 65%No 21 23
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Friends and Family Members: Their Personal and Emotional Toll
Close friends and family members of those killed in the attacks were also interviewed. Theserespondents were identified in surveys conducted by CBS and the New York Times from late2010 through July 2011 and called back for this poll.For a majority of those who lost someone close to them on 9/11, life has returned mostly tonormal. But it took time – just 32% say their lives returned mostly to normal within a year, whilefor 54% that process took one to five years. 7% say their lives are not yet back to normal, ornever will be.
Life Returned Mostly to Normal Within:
(Among close friends and relatives of 9/11 victims)A year or less 32%One to two years 24Two to five years 30Longer than five years 4Not yet back to normal 2Will never be normal 5Most of those close to someone who died that day have experienced some emotional recoverysince the attacks, but few have fully recovered. 57% say they have recovered partially from theattacks, while just 30% have done so fully. 5% say they have not recovered, and 7% say theynever will.
Recovered Emotionally Since 9/11
(Among close friends and relatives of 9/11 victims)Completely 30%Partially 57Not at all 5Never will (vol.) 716% of those who lost a friend or family member in the attacks say they themselves sufferedfrom a diagnosed mental health issue such as depression, anxiety or post traumatic stressdisorder as a result of the attacks.
Did You Suffer From Mental Health Issue as a Result of 9/11?
(Among close friends and relatives of 9/11 victims)Yes 16%No 83Despite the lingering emotional aftereffects of the attacks, 61% of those close to someone whodied say they have made no significant changes to their own lives as a result of the attacks.The change reported most often involves attitude towards life; 12% say they appreciate eachday more, changed their outlook or just try to live better. 7% say they are more cautious whentravelling or travel less. 5% are more aware of people in general.
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