Posttraumatic distress in security guards and the various effects of social support.
This study investigates the effects of six types of social support on distress and posttraumatic stress disorders in security guards who did and did not encounter a critical incident. Three types of social support were significantly related to distress and posttraumatic stress disorder: emotional support in problem situations, instrumental support, and social companionship. Emotional support in problem situations paradoxically appeared to have an aggravating effect on distress and posttraumatic stress, whereas instrumental support and social companionship had a mitigating outcome.
Declercq
Frédéric
F
Department of Psychoanalysis and Clinical Consulting, Ghent University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, H Dunantlaan 2, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium. Frederic.Declercq@UGent.be
Vanheule
Stijn
S
Markey
Samuel
S
Willemsen
Jochem
J
D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012637:Security Measures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires