Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mechanisms of Stress Resilience - Significant Findings, Advancements, and Future Research
Published on: December 15, 2023
Predictors of Suicide and Differences in Attachment Styles and Resilience Among Treatment-Seeking First-Responder
Warren N Ponder1, Jose Carbajal, James Whitworth
1From the One Tribe Foundation, Fort Worth, Texas (W.N.P.); Stephen F. Austin State University (J.C.); University of Central Florida (J.W.); University of Texas at Arlington (D.L.S.); Private Practice, Dallas Texas (J.M.G.); and University of North Texas Health Science Center (A.Y.).
Objective:
To identify the predictors of suicide for firefighters (FFs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and law enforcement officers (LEOs).
Methods:
We used baseline data from FFs/EMTs (n = 69) and LEOs (n = 81) to investigate the unique predictors for both first-responder subtypes. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis on validated assessments of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Measures of attachment, resilience, PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety, trauma history, and substance use were the independent variables in two backward stepwise regressions predicting suicide.
Results:
Substance use and somatic depression were significant predictors for LEOs, whereas affective depression, anhedonia, externalizing behaviors, trauma history, and generalized anxiety were significant predictors for FFs/EMTs.
Limitations:
These data are cross-sectional and should be modeled longitudinally over the course of treatment.
Conclusion:
Separate constructs influence suicide for LEOs and FFs/EMTs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

