Media exposure increases strain on terror attack survivors

Exposure to media is likely to put more strain on blast or terror attack survivors, says a new study.

"Media representatives need to understand that they may add to the burden of survivors if they are not sufficiently careful, and clinicians should be aware of media exposure as a potential additional strain on victims," said lead author Siri Thoresen, researcher at the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies.

Taking part in media interviews was not associated with post-traumatic stress reactions among survivors, but negative evaluations and regrets about participation were.

The study was conducted on the survivors of the 2011 Utoya Island terrorist attack in Norway.

Most of the survivors perceived contact with media as a positive experience.

Among those who allowed themselves to be interviewed by the media, 13 percent found the experience distressing and 11 percent regretted participating.

The study appeared in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.