NSF And 9/11 >> Understanding the Need to Help
A well-known behavior after a disaster is “convergence” —when people come to the scene of the disaster to help. Seana Lowe of the University of Colorado and Alice Fothergill of the University of Vermont interviewed volunteers in New York City after the terrorist attacks.
Volunteers performed a wide range of activities such as counseling, blood donation, cleanup assistance or simply cheering up workers. The study, discussed in a presentation at NSF, found that these actions gave volunteers a sense of solidarity, a feeling of being appreciated, a measure of personal healing and a sense of empowerment.
Next: NSF And 9/11 >> Tracking Personal Impact Over Time
