Secondary Traumatization and Related Psychological Outcomes in Firefighters

BAŞTUĞ G., Ergul-Topcu A., ÖZEL KIZIL E. T., ERGÜN O. F.

JOURNAL OF LOSS & TRAUMA, vol.24, no.2, pp.143-158, 2019 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 24 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/15325024.2018.1560898
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF LOSS & TRAUMA
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.143-158
  • Keywords: Posttraumatic stress disorder, secondary traumatization, burnout, firefighters, POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER, PTSD SYMPTOMS, BURNOUT, HEALTH, TRAUMA, IMPACT, LIFE, JOB, SATISFACTION, DISASTER
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as the relationship between PTSD and depressive symptoms, burnout, and life satisfaction in Turkish firefighters. A cohort of 100 male firefighters (mean age 45.12, SD = 9.72) working at different centers participated in the study. Results showed that firefighters had a high rate (40%) of PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria. Firefighters with PTSD also had higher burnout in terms of emotional exhaustion, higher depression, and poor life satisfaction. Psychological and occupational interventions are crucial to prevent such disturbances in risky groups like firefighters.