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Individual predictors of posttraumatic distress: a structural equation model.
C Regehr1, D Hemsworth, J Hill
1Institute for Medical Sciences and Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. cheryl.regehr@utoronto.ca
Summary
This study found that firefighters with better relational capacity experienced more social support, which in turn reduced posttraumatic distress. Strong relationships are key to buffering trauma effects.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Traditional trauma research focused on the
- dose-effect
- model, but recent studies emphasize personality and environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the relationship between relational capacity, social support, and posttraumatic distress in firefighters.
- To investigate factors beyond event severity in understanding trauma responses.
Main Methods:
- 164 firefighters completed questionnaires on trauma exposure, social support, distress, and relational capacity.
- Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data and develop a theoretical framework.
Main Results:
- The hypothesized model demonstrated an excellent fit.
- Higher relational capacity was associated with greater perceived social support.
- Increased perceived social support was linked to lower levels of posttraumatic distress.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in relational capacity significantly influence posttraumatic distress.
- The ability to form and maintain supportive relationships is crucial for mitigating trauma's impact.
- Findings challenge the sole reliance on the dose-effect model for understanding trauma response.