Public Works Employees and Posttruamatic Stress Disorder: an At-Risk Population

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychotraumatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Public works employees were designated emergency providers in 2003.
• These employees can be government or private contractors.
• First responders are known to be at risk for psychological trauma and PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the risk of psychological trauma and PTSD in public works employees during critical incidents.
• To review empirical studies on this topic from 1980 to 2020.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of 24 empirical studies.
• Studies included a total of 94,302 government/contracted public works employees.
• Data were collected between 1980 and 2020.

Main Results:

• All 24 reviewed studies reported psychological trauma/PTSD in public works employees.
• Three studies also indicated serious somatic health problems.
• The risk is a worldwide issue.

Conclusions:

• Public works employees are demonstrably at risk for psychological trauma and PTSD.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and support systems.
• Further research and treatment implications are discussed.