Story perspectives

Children of 9/11 Responders Show Higher Depression, Anxiety

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Columbia University reported that adult children of 9/11 responders with PTSD have higher mental-health risks.
The survey of 176 responders and 270 adult children from April 2021 to October 2022 found that over 20% screened positive for depression and more than 25% for anxiety.
Early, prolonged or human-remains exposure, current parental PTSD, and strained parent-child or spousal bonds each raised odds of PTSD, anxiety, panic, depression or alcohol-use disorder in the children.

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Story summary

Columbia University reported that adult children of 9/11 responders with PTSD have higher mental-health risks.
The survey of 176 responders and 270 adult children from April 2021 to October 2022 found that over 20% screened positive for depression and more than 25% for anxiety.
Early, prolonged or human-remains exposure, current parental PTSD, and strained parent-child or spousal bonds each raised odds of PTSD, anxiety, panic, depression or alcohol-use disorder in the children.