Coping Strategies Related to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Emergency first responders face high-stress situations, increasing their risk for mental health disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Effective coping strategies are essential for managing work-related stressors and emotional regulation in high-pressure environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify coping strategies utilized by first responders during critical incidents.
• To examine the association between these coping strategies and the prevalence of PTSD.

Main Methods:

• A 2022 cross-sectional study included 215 first responders (ambulance crew and firefighters) from a Colombian volunteer fire department.
• Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, principal components analysis, and the Lasso Method to identify PTSD predictors.

Main Results:

• Avoidance and denial were the most common coping strategies reported by first responders.
• Religion was frequently used as a stress-relief mechanism after witnessing traumatic events.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a correlation between maladaptive coping strategies and PTSD in first responders.
• Implementing targeted training programs to foster adaptive coping skills is critical for mitigating PTSD risk in this population.