The long-term psychological impact of Bloody Sunday on families of the victims as measured by The Revised Impact of Event Scale

Objectives. In 1972, 13 civil rights marchers were killed in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on what is known as Bloody Sunday. This study aimed to assess the psychological impact of this event on the families of victims as measured by the Revised Impact of Event Scale. Design. Cross-sectional self-report based study. Methods. The Impact of Event Scale Revised was administered to 72 members of the families (immediate family, children of immediate family, cousins, and second cousins) of those killed on Bloody Sunday. Results. High levels of intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal were found. In addition, significant group differences were found. Those family members closest to the victims reported the highest levels of psychological distress. Conclusion. The findings were discussed within the transgenerational trauma context.