Understanding the Long-Term Effects of 9/11 on Children as They Grow Up

Longitudinal Follow-Up of 9/11 Directly Exposed Children in their Age of Transition: Independence, Occupation and Morbidity

NIH-funded research New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11080745

This project continues to follow people who were children during 9/11 to understand how the event shaped their adult lives.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11080745 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The 9/11 attacks affected thousands of children in lower Manhattan and surrounding areas. While adults exposed to 9/11 have been well-studied, less is known about the long-term impact on those who were children at the time. This project continues to follow a group of these individuals, who are now young adults, comparing them to a control group. We want to learn how childhood trauma from 9/11 influences their independence, careers, and overall health as they navigate adulthood. This ongoing follow-up helps us understand the lasting effects of such a significant event on development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project specifically follows individuals who were children (ages 0-17) and directly exposed to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, as well as an unexposed control group.

Not a fit: Individuals who were not children directly exposed to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks would not directly benefit from participation in this specific follow-up.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand how childhood trauma affects adult health and well-being, potentially leading to improved support for those who experience similar events.

How similar studies have performed: While other studies have looked at adults exposed to 9/11, this project offers a unique opportunity to understand the long-term effects on a specific cohort exposed as children, building on previous assessments of this group.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.