Psychological Variables Associated With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Firefighters: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Firefighters are repeatedly exposed to work-related potential traumatic events and have an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the mechanisms implicated in this relationship are not clear. The aim of this study was to analyse the risk and protective factors related to the development of PTSD in firefighters. According to PRISMA, a systematic review of scientific literature was conducted in Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) was used as the methodological quality indicator of the selected articles (PROSPERO reference CRD42020213009). Prognostic studies involving active firefighters with presence of post-traumatic symptomatology, presenting original findings, and written in Spanish or English were included. A total of 1768 potentially eligible articles were identified. According to the inclusion criteria, 87 articles were selected to evaluate the full text. Finally, 19 articles were included, comprising 12,298 active firefighters. There is high heterogeneity in the variables evaluated in the different studies. Taking the data for which this review has found more evidence (moderate support), operational stress, job duration, burnout, expressive suppression and rumination could be risk factors of PTSD, and belongingness and dispositional mindfulness could be protective factors. Other variables with weak support (e.g. resilience) were analysed. This review analyses the available literature, highlighting its scarcity for future research on the subject. Due to repeated trauma exposure, it is important to continue investigations and bear these variables in mind for the prevention of PTSD in firefighters.

Comparative analysis of the psychological status of the EMERCOM of Russia State Fire Service employees in correlation with work experience

“…Известно, что высокий уровень профессионального стресса оказы вает влияние на развитие негативных характе рологических особенностей личности и вызы вает напряжение регуляции физиологических систем организма [4,5]. В профессиональной деятельности у пожарных в отличие от других сотрудников МЧС России [17,19] и профес сиональных групп [13,14,18] чаще возникают жизнеугрожающие ситуации. Повседневная работа сотрудников МЧС связана с помощью людям, попавшим в аварийную ситуацию, УДК 614.84 : 159.9 Пятибрат Александр Олегович -др мед.…”

The Effect of Emotional Labor on Psychological Well-Being in the Context of South Korean Firefighters: The Moderating Role of Transformational Leadership

“…In South Korea, firefighters, who are government employees, undertake critical tasks including fire suppression, emergency rescue, and disaster management [ 2 ]. These duties expose them to physical dangers, such as exposure to harmful smoke, extreme heat, and loud noises, as well as to the risk of experiencing traumatic events that may lead to psychological disorders [ 3 ]. Despite undergoing rigorous and comprehensive training to adeptly manage emergencies and challenging situations, they remain vulnerable to psychological distress, a situation significantly exacerbated by stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic [ 4 ].…”

“…Despite undergoing rigorous and comprehensive training to adeptly manage emergencies and challenging situations, they remain vulnerable to psychological distress, a situation significantly exacerbated by stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic [ 4 ]. Given the adverse effects of such occupational stress on crucial work-related outcomes, including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and job performance, firefighting organizations must identify the factors that shape psychological well-being and develop effective strategies for managing their employees’ psychological health [ 3 , 5 ].…”

Longitudinal assessment of psychological distress and its determinants in a sample of firefighters based in Montreal, Canada

“…Occupational stress may influence the severity and course of mental health problems in firefighters and has been considered a core determinant of PTSD, depression, and substance abuse ( Marmar et al, 2006 ; Meyer et al, 2012 ; Edgelow and Fecica, 2023 ; Serrano-Ibáñez et al, 2023 ). Occupational stress can be conceptualized as a process resulting from the dynamic balance of factors regarding job content and context, particularly the support received within the organization ( Gulliver et al, 2021 ).…”