Coping Skills, PTSD, Self Efficacy, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma
Conditions
Keywords
PTSD, Trauma, Coping, Self Efficacy
Brief summary
This cross-sectional, anonymous online survey aims to examine how salient variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across the following professions of rescue workers: firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. PTSS, coping strategies, well-being, suicidal ideation, previously experienced and work-related trauma, and self-efficacy were measured and analyzed using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
Detailed description
Employees of rescue and emergency services are at a risk of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to exposure to trauma and work-related stressors. Salient predictors for the development of PTSS among rescue workers have been identified; however, little is known about how predictors (e.g. coping strategies) differ among professions requiring repeated engagement in emergencies. The present survey examines how these variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across different professions of rescue Workers using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
Interventions
OTHERNo Intervention: anonymous online survey
Sponsors
University of Bern
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Employee at the rescue or emergency services. The participation in the anonymous online study is voluntary and promoted by the department heads at the places of work corresponding to the studied professions. No ethical approval is needed as the survey was voluntary and anonymous and participants gave consent to use the data with their participation.
Exclusion criteria
* None
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PTSS-10 | at baseline | Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms assessed with the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale, a self-rating scale used in screening and follow-up studies on catastrophe that measures the most common posttraumatic symptoms (sleep disorders, nightmares, fear of reminders, etc.) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Well-being | at baseline | Mental well-being assessed with the German version of the shortest General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders were assessed with the German Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). |
| Suicidal Ideation | within the last 12 months before the survey | Participants were asked if they had suicidal ideation in the 12 months prior to the questionnaire |
| Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders | at baseline | German Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The 53-item self-report questionnaire measures symptoms of general psychopathology. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Self-efficacy | at baseline | Self-efficacy was measured using the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, a 10-item self-report instrument for personality diagnostics based on Banduras's concept of perceived self-efficacy that measures the general optimistic competence expectation |
| work-related trauma | at baseline | Number of experienced trauma at work |
| Coping Strategies | at baseline | 5-point Likert scale, ranging from a score of 1, indicating not helpful; to 5, very helpful. According to the operationalization of Coolidge, coping strategies were divided into three main subscales: I) problem-focused coping strategies, which was comprised of the subscales of instrumental support (getting help and advice from psychologic professionals) and active job coping (debriefing with operation team, supervisor, and work colleagues); II) dysfunctional coping strategies, which included substance use (alcohol or medication), avoidance (avoidance of situations and emotions associated with the stressful/traumatic situation), and self-distraction (turning to work or other activities to take the mind off the stressful situation); III) emotion-focused coping strategy (humor, getting emotional support from close friends, thinking about the positive aspects of the job). |
| The burden of stressful job-related circumstances | at baseline | The burden of stressful job-related circumstances, such as dealing with situations including people (aggressive and violent people, dealing with deaths or suicide, threats, dealing with relatives, involvement of children) and job-related conditions (incorrect or wrong information about the emergency situation, shift work, time pressure). Participants stated if they had ever experienced a presented situation, and if so, whether the situation caused a light or heavy stress burden. |
| work-unrelated trauma | at baseline | Number of previous experienced work-unrelated trauma |
Countries
Switzerland
Outcome results
None listed