Advancing Empirical Prevention Science: Insights From the Study of Trauma-Related Symptoms in Public Safety Personnel

Advancing workplace mental health prevention is paramount, yet to date there are no effective, evidence-based strategies that can be widely recommended for prevention of occupational trauma-related symptoms. Because the conceptual framework of prevention following potentially psychologically traumatic exposure (PPTE) is to intervene prior to the development or worsening of trauma-related symptoms, an index of successful prevention is to observe no change or minimal change in baseline symptom levels. Considering common pitfalls of statistically interpreting an absence of change, in this review, we address the widespread problem of null findings in prevention science and discuss theoretical and analytical concepts to advance the quality and strength of inferences that can be drawn from statistical analysis in quantitative prevention science. Public safety personnel (PSP) comprise a unique set of occupational groups where frequent exposure to PPTEs is an inherent occupational hazard. Correspondingly, PSP demonstrate elevated prevalence rates of trauma-related disorders including PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and substance use, and development of effective, evidence-based prevention is urgently needed. Using insights from research with PSP samples as a case study, we summarize current limitations constraining occupation-related prevention science and offer an overview of research design and analytical strategies to promote the development and testing of rigorous and effective prevention strategies to support occupational mental health.