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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03842553

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Rescuers at Risk

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Trauma Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Coping Skills Mental Disorders PTSD Self Efficacy Self-Injurious Behavior Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Suicidal Ideation Suicide Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern

Bern, 3000, Switzerland

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

No Intervention: anonymous online survey

Other

Primary outcomes

  1. PTSS-10

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Well-being

    Time frame: 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).

  2. Suicidal Ideation

    Time frame: within the last 12 months before the survey

    Participants were asked if they had suicidal ideation in the 12 months prior to the questionnaire

  3. Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders

    Time frame: at baseline

    German Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The 53-item self-report questionnaire measures symptoms of general psychopathology.

Other outcomes

  1. Self-efficacy

    Time frame: 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

  2. Coping Strategies

    Time frame: 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).

  3. The burden of stressful job-related circumstances

    Time frame: 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.

  4. work-unrelated trauma

    Time frame: at baseline

    Number of previous experienced work-unrelated trauma

  5. work-related trauma

    Time frame: at baseline

    Number of experienced trauma at work

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Bern

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Rescuers at Risk: Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Differ Among Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Ambulance Personnel, and Emergency and Psychiatric Nurses

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Feb 15, 2019
Registry last updated
Mar 22, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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