title: Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and other psychological symptoms in trauma-exposed firefighters.
abstract: Firefighters are exposed to a range of potentially traumatic stressors, yet studies examining the impact of this exposure are equivocal. Although some studies suggest increased risk for mental health problems, others suggest unusual resilience. Type of assessment methodology may contribute to the lack of consistent findings. We assessed 142 trauma-exposed, professional firefighters utilizing a standardized clinical interview and self-report measures and found low rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses (4.2%), and depressive, anxiety, and alcohol-abuse symptoms. Frequency of trauma exposure did not predict psychological symptoms. Perceived social support, occupational stress, coping, as well as the interaction between perceived social support and self-blame were significant predictors of symptoms. Firefighters reporting low-perceived social support and high self-blame demonstrated the highest levels of clinically significant symptoms. These findings may inform education, treatment, and resilience training for emergency personnel.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, Texas76711, USA. Eric.Meyer2@va.gov
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimering
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Barbara W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Kamholz
authors.forename: Suzy Bird
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Gulliver
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters / Q000523:psychology*; D005390:Fires; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*