Childhood maltreatment compromises resilience against occupational trauma exposure: A retrospective study among emergency medical service personnel

Sex and Dominance Differences in the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Prosocial Behavior: The Roles of Meaning in Life and Resilience

The impact of childhood trauma on adolescents' development is a key topic in social science. Much of the existing literature focuses on its negative consequences, with limited study on its effects on positive social functions, particularly prosocial behavior. This study aims to uncover the link between childhood trauma and prosocial behavior among Chinese adolescents, focusing on how meaning in life and resilience mediate this relationship and how sex and social dominance goals moderate these effects. This study utilized random cluster sampling to survey 659 adolescents (mean age = 15.05, SD = 1.576, 53.6% female) in Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, China. Data on childhood trauma, meaning in life, resilience, and prosocial behavior were collected through self-reported measures. The data were analyzed through Process Macro Model 4 for mediation effects and Model 8 for moderated mediation in SPSS 26.0. Findings indicated that meaning in life (β = -.042, P < .001, SE = 0.015) and resilience (β = -.071, P < .001, SE = 0.018) partially mediate the impact of the main effect. Social dominance goals reduced the negative effects of trauma on prosocial behavior; higher levels lead to reduced impacts (β = -.173, P < .001, SE = 0.039, t = -4.448). Sex differences also moderated the effect of trauma on meaning in life, with females experiencing a greater decrease in the meaning of life after adversity (β = -.825, P < .001, SE = 0.112, t = -7.372). This research offers new insights into the mechanisms by which childhood trauma affects prosocial behavior and emphasizes the need to consider sex and social dominance goals in trauma interventions.

Childhood Maltreatment and Adult Work Absenteeism: Work Meaningfulness as a Double-Edged Sword

The adverse impacts of childhood maltreatment (CM) on an individual's health and economic welfare are widely recognized, yet its occupational and organizational effects remain less explored. Employee absenteeism, known as absenteeism, is often a sign of workplace maladjustment and may be linked to a history of CM. Some individuals in the helping professions, who exhibit a strong sense of purpose in their employment and pursue it in demanding environments, are CM survivors. This study investigates whether a heightened sense of meaningfulness in their work is associated with increased absenteeism among this subgroup. We recruited 320 helping professionals from a variety of social and mental health settings, one third of whom reported experiencing CM. As hypothesized, CM was positively correlated with work absenteeism. Furthermore, the relationship between work meaningfulness and absenteeism was moderated by their CM history: among those with CM experiences, greater work meaningfulness was associated with higher absenteeism rates. Our findings highlight the possibility that work meaningfulness may operate as a double-edged sword, and the importance of better understanding the challenges that high-functioning survivors of CM face within organizational contexts.

Psychological distress among teaching staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: A transdiagnostic perspective on profiles of risk and resilience

Teaching staff are especially vulnerable to COVID-19-related stress, due to the significant demands they have experienced. Yet, many have shown resilience-good mental health despite stress exposure. The current study used a person-centered approach to identify distinct profiles according to individual differences in psychosocial risk and protective factors. Latent Profile Analysis and ANOVAs were employed among 350 Israeli teaching staff during the fourth wave of COVID-19. Two distinct profiles, "risk" (55%) and "resilience" (45%) were identified. While groups showed no differences in COVID-19-related stress outcomes, they consistently differed in their psychological reaction to COVID-19 (psychopathology, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction).

Reminder-Focused Positive Psychiatry: Suicide Prevention Among Youths With Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Suicidality

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of brief reminder-focused positive psychiatry and suicide prevention (RFPP-S) on suicidal ideation, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and clinical outcomes among youths with PTSD treated in psychiatric emergency rooms.

METHODS

This study included youths with PTSD and suicidality who received either RFPP-S (N=50) or treatment as usual (N=150). The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for children and adolescents, University of California, Los Angeles Trauma Reminder Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment Scale, and positive psychiatry test batteries were administered at baseline, on day 2, and 1 week and 1 month after discharge.

RESULTS

On day 2, the RFPP-S group showed a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms (55%) and reactivity to trauma and loss reminders (80%) compared with the control group (10% for both) (p=0.001). A significantly greater reduction in C-SSRS score for RFPP-S (80%), compared with treatment as usual (15%), was noted (p=0.001), and RFPP-S showed more rapid stabilization (mean±SD=2.0±0.5 days) and enhanced postdischarge follow-up (100%) compared with treatment as usual (5.0±2.0 days and 50%, respectively) (p<0.05). RFPP-S, but not treatment as usual, was associated with significant increases in well-being, flexible thinking, and coping skills (p<0.05). Hospital readmission due to suicidality 1 month after discharge was 0% for the RFPP-S group and 20% for the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

RFPP-S was associated with reduced PTSD symptoms, enhanced coping skills while experiencing trauma reminders, adoption of safety skills, rapid stabilization of acute crises of PTSD with suicidality, adherence to post-emergency room visits and treatment, and favorable clinical outcomes.

Chronic and Traumatic Stress Among Emergency Medical Services Personnel

Abstract. Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are frequently confronted with multiple stressful and potentially traumatic events as well as adverse working conditions. Objective: This narrative review provides an overview of the impact of adverse mission experiences and working conditions on the mental and physical health of EMS personnel. Methods: We summarize the empirical findings on prevalence rates as well as individual vulnerability factors and resilience. Results: EMS personnel show the highest prevalence rates of stress-related health problems among first responders. The article outlines prevention and intervention approaches that contribute to maintaining and improving the mental and physical health of EMS personnel. Conclusion: In the future, further evidence-based intervention measures should be developed to adequately support this professional group.

Correlates of mental health in occupations at risk for traumatization: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hospitals, police stations, and fire departments are highly demanding workplaces. Staff members are regularly exposed to various stressors including traumatic events. Correspondingly, several studies report high rates of mental health issues among these occupations. Nevertheless, despite these challenging circumstances, some staff members manage to sustain their mental health. The current study is the first to investigate three health-promoting factors simultaneously among three different, highly demanding occupations.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional survey investigated health-promoting factors (sense of coherence - SOC, trait-resilience, locus of control - LOC) and mental health outcomes (general psychopathological symptom burden, posttraumatic stress, burnout) in medical staff (n = 223), police officers (n = 257), and firefighters (n = 100).

RESULTS

Among all occupations, SOC, trait-resilience, and an internal LOC were negatively associated with general psychopathological symptoms, posttraumatic stress, and burnout symptoms. By contrast, all these outcome measures were positively correlated with an external LOC. Multiple regression models including all health-promoting factors explained 56% of the variance in general psychopathological symptoms and 27% in posttraumatic stress symptoms. Among all occupations, SOC was the strongest predictor of both general psychopathological symptom burden and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Multigroup path analyses revealed minor differences across occupations, mainly driven by a stronger influence of LOC in police officers.

CONCLUSION

Across all occupations, SOC was identified as the most important health-promoting factor. Future longitudinal studies should further examine the causal link between health-promoting factors and mental distress in different workplaces. Such studies will also allow for further development and evaluation of resilience promoting programs.