First Responders During COVID-19: Career Calling, PTSD, and Work Self-Efficacy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders were identified as a high-risk group for developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, which are commonly associated with negative thoughts about oneself. This may pose risk to perceptions of work self-efficacy, an integral component of employee well-being and occupational functioning. In line with the Job Demands-Resources Model (Demerouti et al., 2001), the present study examined whether the degree to which first responders' perceived career calling (i.e., a "summons" to work) served as a protective factor in the relationship between PTSD symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and perceptions of self-efficacy in the workplace.

Participants were 138 first responders from local county police and fire departments who completed online screening measures for probable PTSD and depression, as well as self-reports of work self-efficacy and career calling, between May and June 2020. Statistical analysis occurred between 2020 and 2021.

Moderation analysis, controlling for depression and relevant covariates, revealed an interaction between PTSD symptoms and career calling, ΔR²=0.04, p=0.017. At low levels of career calling, there was a significant and negative relationship between PTSD symptoms and work self-efficacy (b=‒0.14, p=0.023), but not among first responders with average or high calling (p's>0.58). Positive screening rates were 22% for probable PTSD and 19% for depression.

Perceiving a career calling may help protect first responders during COVID-19 from the deleterious effects of PTSD symptomatology on work self-efficacy. Prevention efforts targeting first responders with low calling strength may be warranted.