Fire/Emergency Medical Services and Coping Methods: Mitigating Traumatic Stress Symptomatology

William Mark Holland

Research output: Other contribution

Abstract

Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals must cope with a variety of job-related stressors. One significant stressor for fire/EMS providers involves exposure to personally disturbing incidents (PDIs). To manage the untoward effects of exposure to PDIs, fire/EMS professionals use a variety of coping methods. In this study, the effectiveness of various coping methods utilized by fire/EMS professionals for mitigating the negative effects of exposure to PDIs was examined. This study provides some clarity by identifying the subjective distress associated with certain PDIs and pinpointing detrimental coping methods of fire/EMS personnel through scores on the 28-item General Health Questionnaire and Ways of Coping Questionnaire. This study revealed five coping methods that were predictors for increasing traumatic stress symptomatology.

Original languageUndefined/Unknown
StatePublished - Jun 1 2008
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameDoctoral Dissertations and Projects

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