Measures of Emotional Response to Terrorist-Related Aggressive Acts

Abstract

While difficult to define, terrorism and terrorist-related aggressive acts can have a significant impact on societies and individuals. Acts of terrorism can disrupt the functioning of our day-to-day lives and can produce a range of emotional reactions including anxiety, anger, and fear. Prior literature has demonstrated that the public's emotional response to terrorism has an impact on policy. Additionally, survivors can experience both short-term and long-term mental health difficulties; thus understanding how we measure these reactions is vital. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the literature and measures used to examine emotional response to terrorist-related aggressive acts. Sociodemographic variables are also considered. This chapter includes practical implications and considerations for practitioners for researchers and clinicians. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)