The relationship between coping strategies of extreme job holders and post-traumatic stress disorders
Keywords:
Behavioural strategies, adaptive behaviour, stress reactions, depression, post-traumatic symptoms.
Abstract
Extreme workers are constantly exposed to negative impact in the course of their work. Over time, excessive stress and traumatic events can cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result, employees are unable to fully function as specialists, which manifests in the destructive coping strategies. The aim of the study involves determining the symptoms of PTSD and related coping strategies of extreme workers. Methods. The study is based on the use of standardized PTSD diagnostic tests (Screen PC-PTSD, IES-R, SDS) and coping strategies of employees (CSI). Data processing was carried out using quantitative analysis and statistical methods: descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis. Results. The study showed that the symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, excitability, high depression, and destructive coping strategies is observed in emergency specialists with PTSD symptoms. It was established that specialists with PTSD symptoms have pronounced “avoidance” coping (p=0.000, β=0.082), while “problem solving” was dominant coping of specialists with no PTSD (p=0.000, β=-0.045). They have pronounced depression (p=0.000, β=0.25), as well as such symptoms as avoidance (p=0.000, β=0.27), excitability (p=0.000, β=0.33) and intrusion (p =0.000, β=0.31). Conclusions. The relationship between the PTSD symptoms of emergency workers and their coping strategies was empirically found. The avoidance strategy is the most typical for specialists with PTSD symptoms. Prospects. The obtained results can be used in the prevention of PTSD in emergency workers. They can also be used for building a model of comprehensive overcoming of the consequences of PTSD by these specialists.
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References
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Machado, V. A., Volchan, E., Figueira, I., Aguiar, C., Xavier, M., Souza, G. G. L., Sobral, A. P., de Oliveira, L., & Mocaiber, I. (2020). Association between habitual use of coping strategies and posttraumatic stress symptoms in a non-clinical sample of college students: A Bayesian approach. PloS One, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228661
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Ntatamala, I., & Adams, S. (2022). The correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder in ambulance personnel and barriers faced in accessing care for work-related stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2046. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042046
Oliveira, A. C., Neto, F., Teixeira, F., & Maia, Â. (2019). Working in prehospital emergency contexts: Stress, coping and support from the perspective of ambulance personnel. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 12(6), 469-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-01-2019-0004
Petrie, K., Milligan-Saville, J., Gayed, A., Deady, M., Phelps, A., Dell, L., Forbes, D., Bryant, R., Calvo, R., Glozier, N., & Harvey, S. (2018). Prevalence of PTSD and common mental disorders amongst ambulance personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 53(9), 897–909. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1539-5
Rojas, R., Hickmann, M., Wolff, S., Kolassa, I-T., & Behnke, A. (2022). Coping in the Emergency Medical Services: Associations with the Personnel's Stress, Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, and Health. Clinical Psychology in Europe, 4, 1-25. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.6133
Schäfer, S. K., Becker, N., King, L., Horsch, A., & Michael, T. (2019). The relationship between sense of coherence and post-traumatic stress: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1562839
Shepherd, L., & Wild, J. (2014). Cognitive appraisals, objectivity and coping in ambulance workers: A pilot study. Emergency Medicine Journal, 31, 41-44. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2011-200511
Soravia, L. M., Schwab, S., Walther, S., & Müller, T. (2021). Rescuers at risk: Posttraumatic stress symptoms among police officers, fire fighters, ambulance personnel, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.602064
Stevelink, S. A. M., Pernet, D., Dregan, A., Davis, K., Walker-Bone, K., Fear, N. T., & Hotopf, M. (2020). The mental health of emergency services personnel in the UK Biobank: A comparison with the working population. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1799477. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1799477
Thielmann, B., Schnell, J., Böckelmann, I., & Schumann, H. (2022). Analysis of work related factors, behavior, well-being outcome, and job satisfaction of workers of emergency medical service: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116660
Vagni, M., Maiorano, T., Giostra, V., Pajardi, D., & Bartone, P. (2022). Emergency stress, hardiness, coping strategies and burnout in health care and emergency response workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.918788
Vicente, V., Jansson, J., Wickström, M., Danehorn, E., & Rubenson Wahlin, R. (2021). Prehospital emergency nurses’ coping strategies associated to traumatic experiences. International Emergency Nursing, 59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2021.101083
Warren-James, M., Dodd, N., Perera, C., Clegg, L., & Stallman, H. M. (2022). How do paramedics cope? A scoping review. Australasian Emergency Care, 25(3), 191-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.auec.2021.12.003
Arebo, B., Ewach, G., Omara, J., Oyella, P., Lucky, R., & Kabunga, A. (2022). Post-traumatic stress disorder and coping strategies among people with HIV in Lira District, Uganda: A cross-sectional study. HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 14, 255-264. https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S358575
Bartzak, P. (2016). Physiological antecedents of the psychological manifestations of PTSD. Medsurg Nursing, 25(5), 323–326.
Berger, W., Coutinho, E., Figueira, I., Marques-Portella, C., Luz, M., Neylan, T., Marmar, C., & Mendlowicz, M. (2011). Rescuers at risk: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of the worldwide current prevalence and correlates of PTSD in rescue workers. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 47, 1001-1011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0408-2
Bilsker, D., Gilbert, M., Alden, L., Sochting, I., & Khalis, А. (2019). Basic dimensions of resilient coping in paramedics and dispatchers. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 16. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.16.690
Bjørn, O. R., Næss-Pleym, L. E., Haugland, H., Dale, J., Uleberg, O., & Espetvedt Nordstrand, A. (2022). Posttraumatic stress responses and psychological well-being in Norwegian medical helicopter personnel. Air Medical Journal, 41(3), 292-297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2022.02.006
Bovin, M. J., Kimerling, R., Weathers, F. W., Prins, A., Marx, B. P., Post, E. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2021). Diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) among US Veterans. JAMA Network Open, 4(2), e2036733. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36733
Campillo-Cruz, M., González-Gutiérrez, J. L., & Ardoy-Cuadros, J. (2021). Relevance of traumatic events and routine stressors at work and PTSD symptoms on emergency nurses. Sustainability, 13(11), 6050. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116050
Chatzea, V., Sifaki-Pistolla, D., Vlachaki, S.-A., Melidoniotis, E., & Georgia, P. (2017). PTSD, burnout and well-being among rescue workers: Seeking to understand the impact of the European refugee crisis on rescuers. Psychiatry Research, 262, 71-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.09.022
Chen, Y., Li, X., Chen, C., An, Y., Shi, J., Huang, J., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Influence of avoidant coping on posttraumatic stress symptoms and job burnout among firefighters: The mediating role of perceived social support. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 16, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2021.155
Ciułkowicz, M., Maciaszek, J., Misiak, B., Pałȩga, A., Rymaszewska, J., & Szcześniak, D. M. (2021). Coping strategies and psychopathological responses among medical and non-medical professionals – a cross-sectional online survey. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.663224
Freire, C., Ferradás, M., Regueiro, B., Rodríguez, S., Valle, A., & Núñez, J. (2020). Coping strategies and self-efficacy in university students: A person-centered approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 841-862.
Horowitz, M., Wilner, N., & Alvarez, W. (1979). Impact of event scale: A measure of subjective stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 41(3), 209-218.
Hruska, B., & Barduhn, M. S. (2021). Dynamic psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with mental health in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel. Journal of Affective Disorders, 282, 9–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.019
Jovanovic, M., Dickov, A., Kajtez, M., Dickov, V., & Dragisic, T. (2017). The relation of stress coping strategies and self-handicapping strategies to the process of opiate addicts behavior changes. Military medical examination, 76, 47-47. https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP170222047J
Lee, D., Lee, J., Lee, J., Changsoo, K., & Jung, Y.-C. (2022). Insular activation and functional connectivity in firefighters with post-traumatic stress disorder. BJPsych Open, 8(1), e32. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.32
Loef, J., Vloet, L. C. M., Vierhoven, P. H., van der Schans, L., Neyman-Lubbers, Y., de Vries-de Winter, C., & Ebben, R. H. A. (2021). Starting ambulance care professionals and critical incidents: A qualitative study on experiences, consequences and coping strategies. BMC Emergency Medicine, 21, 110. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-021-00500-9
Machado, V. A., Volchan, E., Figueira, I., Aguiar, C., Xavier, M., Souza, G. G. L., Sobral, A. P., de Oliveira, L., & Mocaiber, I. (2020). Association between habitual use of coping strategies and posttraumatic stress symptoms in a non-clinical sample of college students: A Bayesian approach. PloS One, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228661
McKeon, G., Steel, Z., Wells, R., Fitzpatrick, A., Vancampfort, D., & Rosenbaum, S. (2022). Exercise and PTSD symptoms in emergency service and frontline medical workers: A systematic review. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1249/TJX.0000000000000189
Ntatamala, I., & Adams, S. (2022). The correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder in ambulance personnel and barriers faced in accessing care for work-related stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2046. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042046
Oliveira, A. C., Neto, F., Teixeira, F., & Maia, Â. (2019). Working in prehospital emergency contexts: Stress, coping and support from the perspective of ambulance personnel. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 12(6), 469-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-01-2019-0004
Petrie, K., Milligan-Saville, J., Gayed, A., Deady, M., Phelps, A., Dell, L., Forbes, D., Bryant, R., Calvo, R., Glozier, N., & Harvey, S. (2018). Prevalence of PTSD and common mental disorders amongst ambulance personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 53(9), 897–909. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1539-5
Rojas, R., Hickmann, M., Wolff, S., Kolassa, I-T., & Behnke, A. (2022). Coping in the Emergency Medical Services: Associations with the Personnel's Stress, Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, and Health. Clinical Psychology in Europe, 4, 1-25. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.6133
Schäfer, S. K., Becker, N., King, L., Horsch, A., & Michael, T. (2019). The relationship between sense of coherence and post-traumatic stress: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1562839
Shepherd, L., & Wild, J. (2014). Cognitive appraisals, objectivity and coping in ambulance workers: A pilot study. Emergency Medicine Journal, 31, 41-44. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2011-200511
Soravia, L. M., Schwab, S., Walther, S., & Müller, T. (2021). Rescuers at risk: Posttraumatic stress symptoms among police officers, fire fighters, ambulance personnel, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.602064
Stevelink, S. A. M., Pernet, D., Dregan, A., Davis, K., Walker-Bone, K., Fear, N. T., & Hotopf, M. (2020). The mental health of emergency services personnel in the UK Biobank: A comparison with the working population. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1799477. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1799477
Thielmann, B., Schnell, J., Böckelmann, I., & Schumann, H. (2022). Analysis of work related factors, behavior, well-being outcome, and job satisfaction of workers of emergency medical service: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116660
Vagni, M., Maiorano, T., Giostra, V., Pajardi, D., & Bartone, P. (2022). Emergency stress, hardiness, coping strategies and burnout in health care and emergency response workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.918788
Vicente, V., Jansson, J., Wickström, M., Danehorn, E., & Rubenson Wahlin, R. (2021). Prehospital emergency nurses’ coping strategies associated to traumatic experiences. International Emergency Nursing, 59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2021.101083
Warren-James, M., Dodd, N., Perera, C., Clegg, L., & Stallman, H. M. (2022). How do paramedics cope? A scoping review. Australasian Emergency Care, 25(3), 191-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.auec.2021.12.003
Published
2023-04-30
How to Cite
Mukhina, H., Yakymchuk, I., Oliinyk, Y., Elvizou, M., & Shvalb, A. (2023). The relationship between coping strategies of extreme job holders and post-traumatic stress disorders. Amazonia Investiga, 12(63), 299-309. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2023.63.03.28
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