An observational study in Trauma, PTSD and Self Efficacy, sponsored by University of Bern. Completed at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2019-03-22.
Sponsored by University of Bern · Observational
This cross-sectional, anonymous online survey aims to examine how salient variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across the following professions of rescue workers: firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. PTSS, coping strategies, well-being, suicidal ideation, previously experienced and work-related trauma, and self-efficacy were measured and analyzed using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
Employees of rescue and emergency services are at a risk of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to exposure to trauma and work-related stressors. Salient predictors for the development of PTSS among rescue workers have been identified; however, little is known about how predictors (e.g. coping strategies) differ among professions requiring repeated engagement in emergencies. The present survey examines how these variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across different professions of rescue Workers using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
515 studies on the registry are indexed under Suicidal Ideation; 195 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 1,001 is above the median of 154 across 66 observational studies indexed under Suicidal Ideation.
Browse Suicidal Ideation studies →University of Bern is the lead sponsor of 207 studies on the registry; 47 are open to participants now.
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Employees of rescue and emergency services in the canton Bern, Switzerland: - Firefighters of the canton Bern
Employee at the rescue or emergency services. The participation in the anonymous online study is voluntary and promoted by the department heads at the places of work corresponding to the studied professions. No ethical approval is needed as the survey was voluntary and anonymous and participants gave consent to use the data with their participation.
Exclusion Criteria:
Police officers from the cantonal police forces in Bern, Switzerland
Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey
Firefighters from the professional fire service of the Canton Bern, Switzerland
Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey
Ambulance personnel of the Canton Bern, Switzerland
Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey
Emergency nurses of the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland
Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey
Psychiatric nurses of the University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Switzerland
Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey
PTSS-10
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms assessed with the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale, a self-rating scale used in screening and follow-up studies on catastrophe that measures the most common posttraumatic symptoms (sleep disorders, nightmares, fear of reminders, etc.)
Time frame: at baseline
Well-being
Mental well-being assessed with the German version of the shortest General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders were assessed with the German Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI).
Time frame: at baseline
Suicidal Ideation
Participants were asked if they had suicidal ideation in the 12 months prior to the questionnaire
Time frame: within the last 12 months before the survey
Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders
German Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The 53-item self-report questionnaire measures symptoms of general psychopathology.
Time frame: at baseline
Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy was measured using the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, a 10-item self-report instrument for personality diagnostics based on Banduras's concept of perceived self-efficacy that measures the general optimistic competence expectation
Time frame: at baseline
Coping Strategies
5-point Likert scale, ranging from a score of 1, indicating "not helpful"; to 5, "very helpful." According to the operationalization of Coolidge, coping strategies were divided into three main subscales: I) problem-focused coping strategies, which was comprised of the subscales of "instrumental support" (getting help and advice from psychologic professionals) and "active job coping" (debriefing with operation team, supervisor, and work colleagues); II) dysfunctional coping strategies, which included "substance use" (alcohol or medication), "avoidance" (avoidance of situations and emotions associated with the stressful/traumatic situation), and "self-distraction" (turning to work or other activities to take the mind off the stressful situation); III) emotion-focused coping strategy (humor, getting emotional support from close friends, thinking about the positive aspects of the job).
Time frame: at baseline
The burden of stressful job-related circumstances
The burden of stressful job-related circumstances, such as dealing with situations including people (aggressive and violent people, dealing with deaths or suicide, threats, dealing with relatives, involvement of children) and job-related conditions (incorrect or wrong information about the emergency situation, shift work, time pressure). Participants stated if they had ever experienced a presented situation, and if so, whether the situation caused a light or heavy stress burden.
Time frame: at baseline
work-unrelated trauma
Number of previous experienced work-unrelated trauma
Time frame: at baseline
work-related trauma
Number of experienced trauma at work
Time frame: at baseline
Plan to share: Undecided
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University of Bern