Examining Physical and Sexual Abuse Histories as Correlates of Suicide Risk Among Firefighters

Abstract

Research indicates that physical and sexual abuse are associated with increased suicide risk; however, these associations have not been investigated among firefighters—an occupational group that has been shown to be at elevated suicide risk. This study examined whether physical and sexual abuse histories are associated with (a) career suicide ideation, plans, and attempts; and (b) current suicide risk (controlling for theoretically relevant symptoms) in this occupational group. A sample of 929 U.S. firefighters completed self‐report surveys that assessed lifetime history of physical and sexual abuse; career suicide ideation, plans, and attempts; current suicide risk; and theoretically relevant symptoms. Logistic regression analyses revealed that individuals who reported a history of physical abuse were significantly more likely to report career suicide ideation, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.12, plans, AOR = 13.05, and attempts, AOR = 23.81, than those who did not. A similar pattern of findings emerged for individuals who reported a sexual abuse history, AORs = 7.83, 18.35, and 29.58 respectively. Linear regression analyses revealed that physical and sexual abuse histories each significantly predicted current suicide risk, even after controlling for theoretically relevant symptoms and demographics, pr2 = .07 and .06, respectively. Firefighters with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A history of physical and sexual abuse were each significantly correlated with current suicide risk in this population, even after accounting for the effects of theoretically relevant symptoms. Thus, when conceptualizing suicide risk among firefighters, factors not necessarily related to one's firefighter career should be considered.

Exploring the Physical and Mental Health Challenges Associated with Emergency Service Call-Taking and Dispatching: A Review of the Literature

“…29 Safe-Work Australia (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia) indicates that the occupation of paramedicine has one of the highest rates of claims for mental disorders, 30 and existing evidence suggests that emergency service personnel such as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics have a higher prevalence of mental health disorders associated with trauma and stress. [31][32][33][34][35] Several studies suggest that paramedics are at a higher risk of being overweight, obese, and physically unfit compared to the general population, 36,37 and this challenge was identified as early as 1991. 3,38 Paramedics are also more likely to smoke, have higher blood pressure, and higher cholesterol than the general population.…”

Lessons in Post-Disaster Self-Care From 9/11 Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians

“…1 Safe-Work Australia (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia) indicates that the occupation of paramedicine has one of the highest rate of claims for mental disorders, 2 and existing evidence suggests that emergency service personnel such as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics have a higher prevalence of mental health disorders associated with trauma and stress. [3][4][5][6][7] This challenge is compounded by a complex working environment where paramedics face life and death emergencies, violence, and major trauma on a daily basis, contributing to cumulative stress that can directly impact both physical and mental health. 8 Several studies suggest that paramedics are at a higher risk of being overweight, obese, and physically unfit compared to the general population, 9,10 and was identified as early as 1991.…”

Enhancing mental health treatment for the firefighter population: Understanding fire culture, treatment barriers, practice implications, and research directions.

“…Roberts (2019) found the following variables to be associated with firefighter suicidality: mental health treatment, PTSD, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, occupational difficulties, and intimate partner problems. A history of physical and/or sexual abuse is also a risk factor for increased suicidal ideation/behaviors in firefighters (Hom et al, 2017). Additionally, low distress tolerance in firefighters combined with severe PTSD symptomatology resulted in high global suicide risk and perceived possible future suicide attempt (Bartlett et al, 2018).…”