(Fire) fighting the pandemic : PTSD and depression symptom profiles and longitudinal correlates

Background: Firefighters face regular exposure to potentially traumatic events, which is associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Despite the high comorbidity, there remains limited understanding of the co-occurrence of PTSD and depression in terms of symptom patterns. Due to the unique stressors added by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is relevant to also understand this comorbidity in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

I’ve got no PPE to protect my mind’ : understanding the needs and experiences of first responders exposed to trauma in the workplace

Background: First responders (FRs) are at high risk of being exposed to traumatic events in their occupational roles. Responding to critical incidents often involves exposure to life-threatening circumstances, dealing with fatalities and encountering highly stressful situations that may trigger traumatic responses. These experiences can lead to poor physical and mental health (MH) outcomes including post-traumatic stress disorder, co-morbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, insomnia, and suicidality.

Latent transition analysis on post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth among firefighters

Background: Firefighters, in the course of their professional responsibilities, confront an array of stressors contingent upon the distinctive characteristics of their duties.

 

Objective: This study investigated the longitudinal impact of trauma incidents during duty on firefighters using latent transition analysis.

 

The effect of a single session of psychological first aid in the emergency department on PTSD and depressive symptoms three months post-intervention : results of a randomised controlled trial

Background: Despite its popularity, evidence of the effectiveness of Psychological First Aid (PFA) is scarce.

 

Objective: To assess whether PFA, compared to psychoeducation (PsyEd), an attention placebo control, reduces PTSD and depressive symptoms three months post-intervention.

 

Development of a stepped care intervention model of evidence-based interventions for the management of posttraumatic stress in the Belgian Police

Background: Police officers are frequently exposed to a wide variety of potentially traumatic events (PTE) and are therefore at a considerable risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research estimated the point prevalence of PTSD in Belgian police officers at 7.4%, significantly higher than in the general population. An effective organisational strategy to manage posttraumatic stress is essential.

 

Nurses Supporting Nurses : A Model for Providing Mental Health Services During War

Nurses routinely face psychological challenges as part of their work, acutely so during times of crises when nurses may treat many severely injured and dying patients. While the need for such support is well documented in the literature, mental health support programmes aimed at healthcare workers, even when available, are often underutilised, especially by nurses.

Moral Suffering in Frontline Social Care Workers : A Study of Moral Injury and Moral Distress

Introduction: Moral suffering (MS) is psycho-emotional harm derived from a conflict between one’s circumstances and one’s deeply held moral values. It includes the constructs of moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) and is characterized by constraints or mandates preventing the perceived morally correct event. Evidence has demonstrated the application of MS in helping professions, and research has linked MS to a deterioration of mental health, self-identity, worldview, and job-performance.

 

Determinants of burnout in Canadian health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are among the most vulnerable groups to experience burnout during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Understanding the risk and protective factors of burnout is crucial in guiding the development of interventions; however, the understanding of burnout determinants in the Canadian HCW population remains limited.

 

The Effects of Mental Health Interventions on Labor Market Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Mental health conditions are prevalent but rarely treated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Little is known about how these conditions affect economic participation. This paper shows that treating mental health conditions substantially improves recipients’ capacity to work in these contexts.

 

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