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Yılmaz Y, Güleç S, Sarıçam H. Posttraumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of the Turkey earthquake: exploring the role of demographics, level of exposure, and personality traits. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38988060 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2024.2376611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an important mental disorder that can develop after mass traumas such as earthquakes. In our study, we aimed to investigate the development of PTSD after the Turkey earthquake (6 February 2023) and its association with some demographic variables, personality traits, and psychological vulnerability. METHOD 547 participants completed assessments of personality, disaster exposure, and PTSD symptoms. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of PTSD symptoms. RESULTS PTSD scores were higher in women, single people, those with low educational level, those who witnessed someone else's injury or death, those who were injured, and those whose homes were destroyed. Physical injury, conscientiousness, marital status, income, and agreeableness predicted PTSD. Among these variables, physical injury was the strongest predictor of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Psychological vulnerability, conscientiousness, physical injury, employment, witnessing someone else's injury, gender, and emotional stability predicted PTSD score in a significant way. Physical injury, conscientiousness, marital status, income, agreeableness predicted PTSD in a significant way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yavuz Yılmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Sezen Güleç
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Hakan Sarıçam
- Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance, Faculty of Education, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
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Holland-Winkler AM, Greene DR, Oberther TJ. The Cyclical Battle of Insomnia and Mental Health Impairment in Firefighters: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2169. [PMID: 38673442 PMCID: PMC11050272 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The occupational requirements of full-time non-administrative firefighters include shift-work schedules and chronic exposure to alerting emergency alarms, hazardous working conditions, and psychologically traumatic events that they must attend and respond to. These compiling and enduring aspects of the career increase the firefighter's risk for insomnia and mental health conditions compared to the general population. Poor sleep quality and mental health impairments are known to coincide with and contribute to the symptom severity of one another. Thus, it is important to determine approaches that may improve sleep and/or mental health specifically for firefighters, as their occupation varies in many aspects from any other occupation. This review will discuss symptoms of insomnia and mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicide in firefighters. The influencing factors of sleep and mental health will be examined including anxiety sensitivity, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. Current sleep and mental health interventions specific to full-time firefighters are limited in number; however, the existing experimental studies will be outlined. Lastly, this review will provide support for exploring exercise as a possible intervention that may benefit the sleep and mental health of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelia M. Holland-Winkler
- Department of Kinesiology, Augusta University, 3109 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, GA 30909, USA; (D.R.G.); (T.J.O.)
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Abstract
We evaluated how an online post-traumatic growth program affected rumination, social support, and post-traumatic growth. We recruited 33 firefighters from two Korean provinces and employed a nonequivalent control group pretest-post-test design. We administered the pretest for the intervention group (n = 16), consisting of eight sessions with an online workbook and messenger group counseling. We conducted post-tests immediately after the program and 4 weeks later. Post-traumatic growth and social support increased significantly. There were no statistically significant differences for intrusive or deliberate rumination. Psychological support programs should be developed to reflect firefighters' work characteristics and needs, including programs designed to induce rumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyeong Kwak
- Department of Nursing, Kyungsung University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Mihae Im
- Department of Nursing, Masan University, Changwon, South Korea
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4
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Goodman G, Blum B, Rentrop C, Malberg N, Agrawal P. The Efficacy of Two Group Interventions on Mental Representations, Attachment Security, and Trauma Symptoms in Ethnically and Socioeconomically Minoritized Young Adolescents in an Urban Middle School. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20105789. [PMID: 37239519 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20105789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Symptoms resulting from childhood trauma can negatively impact socioemotional well-being and school performance during early adolescence unless positive changes in attachment security and mental representations of significant relationships occur. A sample of 109 eighth grade urban students were randomly assigned to one of two weekly, one-hour, school-based group interventions-Storytelling/Story-Acting for Adolescents (STSA-A) or Mentalization-Based Treatment Group Intervention (MBT-G). The Object Relations Inventory (ORI), Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ) and Child PSTD Stress Scale (CPSS) were administered to students and their primary group leaders at the beginning (October) and end (May) of the intervention protocol as outcome variables. Participants in both the STSA-A and MBT-G intervention conditions experienced significant increases in attachment security and decreases in trauma symptoms. Over the course of eight months of group intervention, affective valence of paternal mental representations significantly decreased for boys and for participants in the STSA-A condition, while affective valence of primary group leader mental representations significantly decreased for participants in the MBT-G condition. STSA-A and MBT-G were found to be efficacious at improving attachment security and reducing trauma symptoms in young adolescents. The strengths of each group intervention for addressing interpersonal issues unique to specific types of adolescents are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Goodman
- Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Bryan Blum
- Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
| | - Carla Rentrop
- Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, New York, NY 10128, USA
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Mavragani A, Deady M, Mead O, Foright RM, Brenneman EM, Yeager JR, Bryant RA, Harvey SB. Web-Based Mind-Body Tactical Resilience Training Program for First Responders: Pre-Post Study Assessing Feasibility, Acceptability, and Usability. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e40145. [PMID: 36724011 PMCID: PMC9932877 DOI: 10.2196/40145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND First responders report elevated rates of mental disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet many are reluctant to seek care. Preventative resilience training programs attempt to proactively address this issue, and there is evidence showing promise for programs targeting cognitive processes. However, these programs rarely address the physical health conditions associated with PTSD. There is emerging evidence of mind-body exercise training improving PTSD symptoms as well as its associated physical health symptoms. However, the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a web-based mind-body resilience training among first responders are not yet known. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a web-based mind-body tactical resilience training program designed for first responders. In addition, we explored the preliminary effectiveness of the training program on mental health outcomes, adaptive cognitive strategies, and work productivity. METHODS A total of 42 first responders based in the United States enrolled in the web-based training program. Participants were administered web-based surveys before enrolling in the 6-week web-based program and at the end of the program. The primary outcomes of feasibility were measured using the number of training hours, program adherence rates, and self-reported data on frequency of practice. Acceptability and usability were measured using self-reported data. Secondary outcomes were symptoms of PTSD, psychological distress, emotion regulation, stress mindset, psychological preparedness, and work performance. RESULTS Overall, the training program was feasible based on the median number of training hours spent on the web-based program (7.57 hours out of an expected total of 6 to 9 hours), and 55% (23/42) of the enrolled participants completed more than half of the program. Although acceptability, usability, and frequency of practice were rated as high, this was based on only 29% (12/42) of the respondents who provided follow-up data. Secondary outcomes showed a significant improvement in the adaptive cognitive strategy of the stress mindset, with a mean difference of -5.42 (SD 4.81; 95% CI -8.475 to -2.358; t11=-3.898; P=.002). All other secondary outcomes were not significant. However, the secondary outcomes were exploratory only, and this study was neither designed nor powered to adequately assess efficacy. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that a mind-body tactical resilience training program delivered in a web-based format is feasible and acceptable among first responders; however, further refinements may be required to improve adherence rates. Further research using a larger, more rigorous trial design is warranted to examine the effectiveness of this type of training as a possible prevention or treatment strategy for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Deady
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia
| | - Olivia Mead
- YogaShield Yoga For First Responders, Castle Rock, CO, United States
| | - Rebecca M Foright
- YogaShield Yoga For First Responders, Castle Rock, CO, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Eric M Brenneman
- YogaShield Yoga For First Responders, Castle Rock, CO, United States
| | - Jamie R Yeager
- YogaShield Yoga For First Responders, Castle Rock, CO, United States
| | - Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Samuel B Harvey
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Australia
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Claringbold G, Robinson N, Anglim J, Kavadas V, Walker A, Forsyth L. A systematic review of well-being interventions and initiatives for Australian and New Zealand emergency service workers. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00049530.2022.2123282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicky Robinson
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jeromy Anglim
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Vicki Kavadas
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Arlene Walker
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Loch Forsyth
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Testoff AC, Solle NS, Shafazand S, Louzado-Feliciano P, Lee DJ, Koru-Sengul T, Kobetz EN, Caban-Martinez AJ. Sleep Latency and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Retired Career Florida Firefighters: Evidence From the Advancing Epidemiology of Retired Firefighters Aging Longitudinally Cohort. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:e851-e856. [PMID: 36221257 PMCID: PMC9729374 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our objective was to estimate the association of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep latency among retired firefighters. METHODS Baseline health survey data collected from retried career Florida firefighters participating in an ongoing prospective cohort study from 2017 to 2021 were analyzed. Risk for PTSD was assessed using a four-item primary care PTSD screening construct, and sleep onset latency was assessed by self-reported length of time to fall asleep. RESULTS Among the 500 participants, 8.0% screened positive for PTSD risk and 37.6% had prolonged sleep onset latency (≥20 minutes to fall asleep). Retired firefighters with PTSD risk were 2.7 times more likely (adjusted odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-5.75) to have prolonged sleep latency compared with those without PTSD risk while controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS Retired firefighters who screen positive for PTSD risk are three times more likely to report delayed sleep onset latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addison C. Testoff
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Shirin Shafazand
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Paola Louzado-Feliciano
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David J. Lee
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tulay Koru-Sengul
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Erin N. Kobetz
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Alberto J. Caban-Martinez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Walton M, McLachlan S, Nelson M, Skeffington P, Phillipson L, Christian MD. A Psychological Resilience Briefing Intervention for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Observers. Air Med J 2022; 41:549-555. [PMID: 36494171 DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) observers may be at risk of negative psychological effects associated with exposure to traumatic events during shifts. This article describes a quality improvement project for HEMS observers at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. METHODS A psychological resilience briefing intervention (PRBi) was developed and delivered during induction training with 60 HEMS observers. The PRBi aimed to raise awareness of traumatic events that observers may experience and provided basic education on 5 domains, including likely forms of trauma exposure, possible psychological reactions, advice on coping strategies and supporting colleagues, and resources that they could use if required. The intervention was intended to bolster resilience and reduce posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and to encourage adaptive coping styles in observers. RESULTS Observers learned from and valued the PRBi; statistically significant increases were observed in awareness of the 5 domains from pre- to post-delivery, and free-text responses cited a variety of benefits to the observers. There was no indication that the PRBi caused harm. CONCLUSION The PRBi has now been included in the routine induction of observers at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and has the potential to be repurposed for use in other settings, including medical schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Walton
- St George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah McLachlan
- Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, Essex, United Kingdom; Anglia Ruskin University, Essex, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew Nelson
- School of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Health Education Yorkshire and Humber, Health Education England, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Development of an Evidence-Informed Solution to Emotional Distress in Public Safety Personnel and Healthcare Workers: The Social Support, Tracking Distress, Education, and Discussion CommunitY (STEADY) Program. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10091777. [PMID: 36141388 PMCID: PMC9498760 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10091777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Public safety personnel (PSP) and healthcare workers (HCWs) are frequently exposed to traumatic events and experience an increased rate of adverse mental health outcomes compared to the public. Some organizations have implemented wellness programming to mitigate this issue. To our knowledge, no programs were developed collaboratively by researchers and knowledge users considering knowledge translation and implementation science frameworks to include all evidence-informed elements of posttraumatic stress prevention. The Social Support, Tracking Distress, Education, and Discussion Community (STEADY) Program was developed to fill this gap. It includes (1) peer partnering; (2) distress tracking; (3) psychoeducation; (4) peer support groups and voluntary psychological debriefing following critical incidents; (5) community-building activities. This paper reports on the narrative literature review that framed the development of the STEADY framework and introduces its key elements. If successful, STEADY has the potential to improve the mental well-being of PSP and HCWs across Canada and internationally.
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10
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The effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing PTSD and psychological distress in first responders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272732. [PMID: 36001612 PMCID: PMC9401173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background First responders are faced with stressful and traumatic events in their work that may affect their psychological health. The current review examined the effectiveness of psychological interventions to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, stress and burnout in first responders. Methods Four databases were searched to identify controlled studies that examined the efficacy of psychological interventions to reduce PTSD symptoms (primary outcome) in first responders (including firefighters, police/law enforcement officers, search and rescue personnel, emergency and paramedics teams). Secondary outcomes were anxiety, depression, burnout, and stress. Results 15 studies were identified, including 10 studies that measured PTSD, 7 studies for anxiety, 10 studies for depression, 7 studies for stress and 1 for burnout. Interventions were associated with a significant reduction in PTSD (SDM = -0.86; 95% CI = -1.34 –- 0.39), depression (SDM = -0.63; 95% CI = -0.94 –-0.32), and anxiety (SDM = -0.38; 95% CI = -0.71 –-0.05) but not stress (SDM = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.51–0.25). CBT-based and clinician-delivered interventions were associated with significantly greater reductions in PTSD than other types of interventions and non-clinician interventions, but no differences were found for depression. There was evidence of moderate to high risk of bias across all studies. Conclusions Psychological interventions are effective in reducing PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms but not stress in first responders. Further research is needed using high quality randomised designs over longer periods of follow-up.
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Blessin M, Lehmann S, Kunzler AM, van Dick R, Lieb K. Resilience Interventions Conducted in Western and Eastern Countries-A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:6913. [PMID: 35682495 PMCID: PMC9180776 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of psychological interventions to foster resilience. However, little is known about whether the cultural context in which resilience interventions are implemented affects their efficacy on mental health. Studies performed in Western (k = 175) and Eastern countries (k = 46) regarding different aspects of interventions (setting, mode of delivery, target population, underlying theoretical approach, duration, control group design) and their efficacy on resilience, anxiety, depressive symptoms, quality of life, perceived stress, and social support were compared. Interventions in Eastern countries were longer in duration and tended to be more often conducted in group settings with a focus on family caregivers. We found evidence for larger effect sizes of resilience interventions in Eastern countries for improving resilience (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28 to 0.67; p < 0.0001; 43 studies; 6248 participants; I2 = 97.4%). Intercultural differences should receive more attention in resilience intervention research. Future studies could directly compare interventions in different cultural contexts to explain possible underlying causes for differences in their efficacy on mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manpreet Blessin
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany; (M.B.); (S.L.); (A.M.K.)
- Department of Social Psychology, Goethe University, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Sophie Lehmann
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany; (M.B.); (S.L.); (A.M.K.)
- Department of Social Psychology, Goethe University, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Angela M. Kunzler
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany; (M.B.); (S.L.); (A.M.K.)
| | - Rolf van Dick
- Department of Social Psychology, Goethe University, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Klaus Lieb
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany; (M.B.); (S.L.); (A.M.K.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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McKinnon A, Lorenz H, Salkovskis P, Wild J. Abstract thinking as a risk factor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in student paramedics. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:375-385. [PMID: 34708439 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
cognitive processing is characterized by "why?" and "what if?" questions and associated with processes such as rumination and worry. The tendency to think abstractly in response to stress has not been examined as a longitudinal risk factor for later stress reactions. The present study evaluated the extent to which an abstract thinking style could represent a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in student paramedics over a 6-month follow-up period. Student paramedics (N = 89) recruited from universities in the United Kingdom were assessed for baseline symptoms, abstract thinking, and cognitive responses to stressful memories; a follow-up assesment was conducted 6 months later in their training. All participants were exposed to a potentially traumatic event between baseline and follow-up. Baseline symptoms and trauma history accounted for 45% of the variation in follow-up posttraumatic symptoms, with abstract thinking style explaining an additional 2.5% over and above what could be predicted from initial symptom levels. Abstract thinking was moderately related to rumination in response to stressful memories, r = .45, and correlated with follow-up symptoms of PTSD, r = .49; anxiety, r = .40; and depression, r = .27. This study builds on previous work suggesting that abstract processing mode and abstract rumination are risk factors for PTSD. Abstract thinking in response to stress represents a potentially modifiable risk factor that could be targeted by a resilience-focused intervention for individuals likely to encounter traumatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee McKinnon
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hjördis Lorenz
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Salkovskis
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Wild
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Al Ali S, Pihl-Thingvad J, Elklit A. The influence of coping and cognitive appraisal in predicting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A prospective study on workplace violence in psychiatric staff in Denmark. Work 2022; 71:641-649. [DOI: 10.3233/wor-205177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since psychiatric staff experience a high occurrence of workplace violence and subsequent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it is important to assess the behavioral and cognitive risk factors of PTSD in this population. OBJECTIVE: The current study assesses the incidence of PTSD 12 months after the occurrence of WV. Furthermore, it examines possible prospective associations between coping strategies and cognitive appraisals, respectively, and PTSD. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted with staff from 18 psychiatric wards in Denmark (n = 183) who had reported an incidence of workplace violence. Most subjects were women (83.3%). RESULTS: The incidence of PTSD was 9.8%. The main analysis showed a significant relationship between negative cognitive appraisals about the self and PTSD (OR = 2.87, p < .05), and a coping strategy of self-blame and PTSD (OR = 2.21, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Certain dysfunctional coping strategies and negative cognitive appraisals seems to predict posttraumatic stress in an occupational context. Information about these processes could be important for preventive strategies in the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Al Ali
- National Center of Psychotraumatology, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jesper Pihl-Thingvad
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ask Elklit
- National Center of Psychotraumatology, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Doody CB, Robertson L, Cox KM, Bogue J, Egan J, Sarma KM. Pre-deployment programmes for building resilience in military and frontline emergency service personnel. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 12:CD013242. [PMID: 34870330 PMCID: PMC8647095 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013242.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Military personnel and frontline emergency workers may be exposed to events that have the potential to precipitate negative mental health outcomes such as depression, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Programmes have been designed to build psychological resilience before staff are deployed into the field. This review presents a synthesis of the literature on these "pre-deployment resilience-building programmes". OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of programmes that seek to build resilience to potentially traumatic events among military and frontline emergency service personnel prior to their deployment. These resilience programmes were compared to other interventions, treatment as usual or no intervention. SEARCH METHODS Studies were identified through searches of electronic databases including Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The initial search took place in January 2019, with an updated search completed at the end of September 2020. SELECTION CRITERIA Only studies that used a randomised controlled trial (RCT)/cluster-RCT methodology were included. The programmes being evaluated must have sought to build resilience prior to exposure to trauma. Study participants must have been 18 years or older and be military personnel or frontline emergency workers. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Studies that met the inclusion criteria were assembled. Data extracted included methods, participants' details, intervention details, comparator details, and information on outcomes. The primary outcomes of interest were resilience, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and PTSD. Secondary outcomes of interest included acute stress disorder, depression, social support, coping skills, emotional flexibility, self-efficacy, social functioning, subjective levels of aggression, quality of sleep, quality of life and stress. Assessment of risk of bias was also completed. A total of 28 studies were included in a narrative synthesis of results. MAIN RESULTS All 28 included studies compared an experimental resilience building intervention versus a control or no intervention. There was a wide range of therapeutic modalities used, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) informed programmes, biofeedback based programmes, stress-management programmes, mindfulness and relaxation programmes, neuropsychological-based programmes, and psychoeducational-informed programmes. The main outcomes are specified here, secondary outcomes such as depression, social support, coping skills, self-efficacy, subjective levels of aggression and stress are reported in text. No studies reported on the following pre-specified outcomes; acute stress disorder, emotional flexibility, social functioning, quality of sleep and quality of life. Resilience Eight studies reported resilience as an outcome. We narratively synthesised the data from these studies and our findings show that five of these interventions had success in building resilience in their respective samples. Two of the studies that reported significant results utilised a CBT approach to build resilience, while the other three successful programmes were mindfulness-based interventions. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress Our narrative synthesis of results included eight studies. Two of the eight studies produced significant reductions in symptoms of post traumatic stress compared to controls. These interventions used neuropsychological and biofeedback intervention models respectively. PTSD caseness Four studies reported PTSD caseness as an outcome. Our narrative synthesis of results suggests that evidence is mixed as to the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing clinical diagnosis of PTSD. One study of a neuropsychology-orientated Attention Bias Modification Training (AMBT) programme had success in reducing both symptoms of post-traumatic stress and numbers of participants receiving a diagnosis of PTSD. A stress-management programme reported that, when baseline differences in rates of pre-deployment mental health issues were controlled for, participants in the control condition were at 6.9 times the risk of a diagnosis of PTSD when compared to the intervention group. Given the diversity of intervention designs and theoretical orientations used (which included stress-management, neuropsychological and psychoeducational programmes), a definitive statement on the efficacy of pre-deployment programmes at reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress and PTSD cannot be confidently offered. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS While a number of evaluations of relevant programmes have been published, the quality of these evaluations limits our ability to determine if resilience-building programmes 'work' in terms of preventing negative outcomes such as depression, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and diagnoses of PTSD. Based on our findings we recommend that future research should: a) report pre-/post-means and standard deviation scores for scales used within respective studies, b) take the form of large, RCTs with protocols published in advance, and c) seek to measure defined psychological facets such as resilience, PTSD and stress, and measure these concepts using established psychometric tools. This will provide more certainty in future assessments of the evidence base. From a clinical implications point of view, overall there is mixed evidence that the interventions included in this review are effective at safe guarding military personnel or frontline emergency workers from experiencing negative mental health outcomes, including PTSD, following exposure to potentially traumatic events. Based on this, practitioners seeking to build resilience in their personnel need to be aware of the limitations of the evidence base. Practitioners should have modest expectations in relation to the efficacy of resilience-building programmes as a prophylactic approach to employment-related critical incident traumas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm B Doody
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Lindsay Robertson
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, University of York, York, UK
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Katie M Cox
- National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - John Bogue
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Jonathan Egan
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Kiran M Sarma
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Edgelow M, Scholefield E, McPherson M, Mehta S, Ortlieb A. A review of workplace mental health interventions and their implementation in public safety organizations. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 95:645-664. [PMID: 34628523 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Workplace mental health is relevant to public safety organizations due to the exposure that many public safety personnel (PSP) have to psychological trauma in the course of their daily work. While the importance of attending to PSP mental health has been established, the implementation of workplace mental health interventions is not as well understood. This scoping review describes workplace mental health interventions and their implementation in public safety organizations. METHODS English published primary studies with any publication date up to July 3, 2020 were considered. JBI methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews was followed. RESULTS 89 citations met inclusion criteria out of the 62,299 found. Articles and reports found were largely published within the last decade, most frequently from Western nations, and most often applied to police, followed by firefighters. The focus of interventions was commonly stress management and resilience, and a frequent implementation strategy was multi-session group training. Comprehensive quality improvement initiatives, a focus on supervisors and managers, and interventions across primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, were infrequent. CONCLUSION Public safety organizations are frequently reporting on stress management and resilience interventions for police and firefighters, implemented through multi-session group training. A focus across a range of PSP, including paramedics, corrections officers, and emergency dispatchers, using implementation strategies beyond group training, is suggested. This area of research is currently expanding, with many studies published within the past decade; ongoing evaluation of the quality of interventions and implementation strategies is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Edgelow
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, LDA Building, 31 George Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
| | - Emma Scholefield
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, LDA Building, 31 George Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Matthew McPherson
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, LDA Building, 31 George Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Sonam Mehta
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, LDA Building, 31 George Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Aquila Ortlieb
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, LDA Building, 31 George Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
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16
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Di Nota PM, Kasurak E, Bahji A, Groll D, Anderson GS. Coping among public safety personnel: A systematic review and meta–analysis. Stress Health 2021; 37:613-630. [PMID: 34597464 PMCID: PMC8013542 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Public safety personnel (PSP) are routinely exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) that, in turn, can result in posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI), including burnout and increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, the longitudinal impact of PPTEs on PSP coping remains unclear. Coping can be operationalized as various strategies (i.e., behaviours, skills, thought and emotion regulation) for dealing with stressors, which are broadly categorized as either approach (adaptive, positive, social support) or avoidant coping strategies (maladaptive withdrawal, avoidance, substance use). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate longitudinal coping outcomes among PSP. Thirteen eligible repeated-measures studies explicitly evaluated coping in 1854 police officers, firefighters, and rescue and recovery workers. Study designs included randomized-control trials, within-subject interventions and observational studies. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) at follow-up were described in 11 studies. Separate meta-analyses reveal small (d < 0.2) but non-significant improvements in approach and avoidant coping. Studies were of moderate quality and low risk of publication bias. Heterogeneity in outcome measures, follow-up durations, and study types precluded subgroup analyses. The current findings can inform the development and evaluation of organizational training programs that effectively promote sustained adaptive coping for PSP and mitigate PTSIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M. Di Nota
- Office of Applied Research and Graduate StudiesJustice Institute of British ColumbiaNew Westminster, BCCanada,Department of PsychologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Emily Kasurak
- Department of PsychiatryQueen's UniversityKingston, OntarioCanada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryCanada
| | - Dianne Groll
- Department of PsychiatryQueen's UniversityKingston, OntarioCanada
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17
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Brassington K, Lomas T. Can resilience training improve well-being for people in high-risk occupations? A systematic review through a multidimensional lens. THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2020.1752783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim Lomas
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
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18
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Waters L, Cameron K, Nelson-Coffey SK, Crone DL, Kern ML, Lomas T, Oades L, Owens RL, Pawelski JO, Rashid T, Warren MA, White MA, Williams P. Collective wellbeing and posttraumatic growth during COVID-19: how positive psychology can help families, schools, workplaces and marginalized communities. THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2021.1940251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lea Waters
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kim Cameron
- Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Damien L. Crone
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret L. Kern
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tim Lomas
- University of East London, London, UK
| | - Lindsay Oades
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rhea L. Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - James O. Pawelski
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tayyab Rashid
- Health & Wellness Centre, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), Canada
| | - Meg A. Warren
- College of Business and Economics, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
| | | | - Paige Williams
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
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19
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Cherry N, Galarneau J, Haynes W, Sluggett B. The role of organizational supports in mitigating mental ill health in firefighters: A cohort study in Alberta, Canada. Am J Ind Med 2021; 64:593-601. [PMID: 33945167 PMCID: PMC8252071 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Little is known about the effectiveness of ongoing mental health support in reducing the mental health impacts of a traumatic deployment. Methods A cohort of firefighters was established among those deployed to a devastating wildfire in Alberta, Canada in May 2016. Firefighters completed three questionnaires: at recruitment giving details of exposures, a first follow‐up reporting mental health supports before, during, and after the fire and a second follow‐up, at least 30 months after the fire, with screening questionnaires for anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fire chiefs were interviewed about mental health provisions. The impact of supports on mental ill health was estimated, adjusting for clustering within fire service and potential confounders. Results Of 1234 firefighters in the cohort, 840 completed the questionnaire on mental health supports. In total, 78 of 82 fire chiefs were interviewed. Analysis of the impact of supports on mental ill health included 745 firefighters from 67 fire services. Only 45.8% of reports of peer support were concordant between firefighters and fire chiefs. After adjusting for confounding, the odds ratios (OR) for peer support reported by both fire chief and firefighter were depressive disorder: OR = 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.08–0.61; anxiety disorder: OR = 0.45, 95% CI, 0.24–0.82; PTSD: OR = 0.62, 95% CI, 0.37–1.02. Symptoms of anxiety and depression but not PTSD were reduced by resiliency training before the fire and by support offered within 48 h of return from deployment. Conclusion The results suggest peer support in firefighters is protective but its availability is poorly recognized. PTSD was somewhat less responsive, perhaps reflecting the cumulative effects of previous exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cherry
- Division of Preventive Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | | | - Whitney Haynes
- Division of Preventive Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Bryan Sluggett
- Division of Preventive Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
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20
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Lebeaut A, Leonard SJ, Healy N, Raines AM, Buser SJ, Vujanovic AA. Associations between Lower-Order Anxiety Sensitivity Facets and PTSD Symptomatology among Trauma-Exposed Firefighters. Behav Modif 2021; 46:294-320. [PMID: 34008431 DOI: 10.1177/01454455211016819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Firefighters are chronically exposed to potentially traumatic events, augmenting their risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study aimed to examine the incremental associations of lower-order dimensions of anxiety sensitivity (AS), examined concurrently, and PTSD symptom severity among a sample of trauma-exposed firefighters. We hypothesized that AS physical and cognitive concerns would be strongly associated with all PTSD symptom clusters and overall symptom severity, after controlling for theoretically relevant covariates (trauma load; years in fire service; alcohol use severity; depressive symptom severity). Participants were comprised of firefighters (N = 657) who completed an online questionnaire battery and endorsed PTSD Criterion A trauma exposure. Results revealed that the AS cognitive concerns, but not AS physical concerns, was significantly and robustly associated with overall PTSD symptom severity, intrusion symptoms, and negative alterations in cognitions and mood (∆R2's = .028-.042; p's < .01); AS social concerns was incrementally associated with PTSD avoidance (∆R2 = .03, p < .01). Implications for firefighter-informed, evidence-based interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amanda M Raines
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA
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21
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Supporting the Mental Health and Well-Being of First Responders from Career to Retirement: A Scoping Review. Prehosp Disaster Med 2021; 36:475-480. [PMID: 33928892 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x21000431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION First responders are at greater risk of mental ill health and compromised well-being compared to the general population. It is important to identify strategies that will be effective in supporting mental health, both during and after the first responder's career. METHODS A scoping review was conducted using the PubMed database (1966 to October 1, 2020) and the Google Scholar database (October 1, 2020) using relevant search terms, truncation symbols, and Boolean combination functions. The reference lists of all relevant publications were also reviewed to identify further publications. RESULTS A total of 172 publications were retrieved by the combined search strategies. Of these, 56 met the inclusion criteria and informed the results of this overview paper. These publications identified that strategies supporting first responder mental health and well-being need to break down stigma and build resilience. Normalizing conversations around mental health is integral for increasing help-seeking behaviors, both during a first responder's career and in retirement. Organizations should consider the implementation of both pre-retirement and post-retirement support strategies to improve mental health and well-being. CONCLUSION Strategies for supporting mental health and well-being need to be implemented early in the first responder career and reinforced throughout and into retirement. They should utilize holistic approaches which encourage "reaching in" rather than placing an onus on first responders to "reach out" when they are in crisis.
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22
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Bisson JI, Wright LA, Jones KA, Lewis C, Phelps AJ, Sijbrandij M, Varker T, Roberts NP. Preventing the onset of post traumatic stress disorder. Clin Psychol Rev 2021; 86:102004. [PMID: 33857763 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition that requires exposure to a traumatic event. This provides unique opportunities for prevention that are not available for other disorders. The aim of this review was to undertake a systematic review and evaluation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions designed to prevent PTSD in adults. Searches involving Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, PILOTS and Pubmed databases were undertaken to identify RCTs of pre-incident preparedness and post-incident interventions until May 2019. Six pre-incident and 69 post-incident trials were identified that could be included in meta-analyses. The overall quality of the evidence was low. There was emerging evidence that some interventions may be helpful but an absence of evidence for any intervention that can be strongly recommended for universal, selected or indicated prevention before or within the first three months of a traumatic event. The strongest results were found for cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus (CBT-T) in individuals with a diagnosis of acute stress disorder which supports calls to detect and treat individuals with significant symptoms rather than providing blanket preventative interventions. Further research is required to optimally configure existing interventions with some evidence of effect and to develop novel interventions to address this major public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan I Bisson
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, United Kingdom.
| | - Laurence Astill Wright
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberley A Jones
- Phoenix Australia- Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catrin Lewis
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea J Phelps
- Phoenix Australia- Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tracey Varker
- Phoenix Australia- Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil P Roberts
- Psychology and Psychological Therapies Directorate, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, United Kingdom
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23
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Layne CM, Ruzek JI, Dixon K. From Resilience and Restoration to Resistance and Resource Caravans: A Developmental Framework for Advancing the Disaster Field. Psychiatry 2021; 84:393-409. [PMID: 35061961 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2021.2005444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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24
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Wild J, El-Salahi S, Degli Esposti M, Thew GR. Evaluating the effectiveness of a group-based resilience intervention versus psychoeducation for emergency responders in England: A randomised controlled trial. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241704. [PMID: 33180798 PMCID: PMC7660584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emergency responders are routinely exposed to traumatic critical incidents and other occupational stressors that place them at higher risk of mental ill health compared to the general population. There is some evidence to suggest that resilience training may improve emergency responders’ wellbeing and related health outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a tertiary service resilience intervention compared to psychoeducation for improving psychological outcomes among emergency workers. Methods We conducted a multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. Minim software was used to randomly allocate police, ambulance, fire, and search and rescue services personnel, who were not suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, to Mind’s group intervention or to online psychoeducation on a 3:1 basis. The resilience intervention was group-based and included stress management and mindfulness tools for reducing stress. It was delivered by trained staff at nine centres across England in six sessions, one per week for six weeks. The comparison intervention was psychoeducation about stress and mental health delivered online, one module per week for six weeks. Primary outcomes were assessed by self-report and included wellbeing, resilience, self-efficacy, problem-solving, social capital, confidence in managing mental health, and number of days off work due to illness. Follow-up was conducted at three months. Blinding of participants, researchers and outcome assessment was not possible due to the type of interventions. Results A total of 430 participants (resilience intervention N = 317; psychoeducation N = 113) were randomised and included in intent-to-treat analyses. Linear Mixed-Effects Models did not show a significant difference between the interventions, at either the post-intervention or follow-up time points, on any outcome measure. Conclusions The limited success of this intervention is consistent with the wider literature. Future refinements to the intervention may benefit from targeting predictors of resilience and mental ill health. Trial registration ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN79407277.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Wild
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Shama El-Salahi
- The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Degli Esposti
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Graham R. Thew
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Wild J, El-Salahi S, Esposti MD. The Effectiveness of Interventions Aimed at Improving Well-Being and Resilience to Stress in First Responders. EUROPEAN PSYCHOLOGIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/1016-9040/a000402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. First responders are routinely exposed to traumatic critical incidents, placing them at higher risk for developing stress-related psychopathology and associated health problems than the general population. Interventions which could improve resilience to stress may help to protect the health of this high risk population. We systematically reviewed such interventions for first responders to determine which ones work and why. We searched the Cochrane and Campbell Collaboration Library, EMBASE, IBSS, Medline, PILOTS, PubMed, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS from January 1, 1980 to June 28, 2018 for randomized and quasi-randomized controlled studies aiming to improve well-being, resilience, or stress management for police, ambulance, fire, or search and rescue workers using non-pharmacological interventions. Data were extracted from published reports and obtained from authors. Within- and between-group effect sizes were calculated for mental and physical health outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias Tool. The initial search identified 3,816 studies, 13 of which were eligible for analysis ( n = 634 cases, n = 628 controls). Six studies demonstrated intervention-related improvements. However, risk of bias was mostly unclear or high. Within-group intervention effect sizes ranged from −0.82 (95% CI [−1.48, −0.17]) to 2.71 [1.99, 3.42] and between-group intervention effect sizes ranged from −0.73 [−1.25, −0.21] to 1.47 [0.94, 2.01], depending on the outcome. Largest effects were seen for interventions that targeted modifiable risk factors for trauma-related psychiatric disorders. Targeting modifiable predictors of trauma-related psychiatric disorders through training may protect the health of first responders who routinely face trauma in their line of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Wild
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Shama El-Salahi
- The Oxford Centre for Psychological Health, University of Oxford, UK
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Heroes in crisis: Trauma centers should be screening for and intervening on posttraumatic stress in our emergency responders. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2020; 89:132-139. [DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Wild J, Greenberg N, Moulds ML, Sharp ML, Fear N, Harvey S, Wessely S, Bryant RA. Pre-incident Training to Build Resilience in First Responders: Recommendations on What to and What Not to Do. Psychiatry 2020; 83:128-142. [PMID: 32338579 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2020.1750215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Emergency services are under enormous pressure to offer programmes that could protect their staff from the psychological impact of stressors encountered in their roles. There has been a surge in the number of pre-incident training programmes aimed at first responders to maintain their psychological wellbeing after critical incidents. These include pre-employment screening programmes, psychoeducation, operational training, line manager training and interventions aimed at improving resilience, wellbeing or stress management. Whilst developed with the best intentions, these programmes vary in efficacy. Therefore, knowing what training to offer first responders prior to exposure to critical incidents is far from clear. In this review, we critique the available evidence and make recommendations about what to offer and what to avoid offering first responders prior to exposure to critical incidents. We found no evidence of the effectiveness of pre-employment screening or psychoeducation offered as a standalone package, and little evidence for interventions aimed to improve wellbeing and resilience to stress - although current trials of empirically-driven interventions for first responders are underway and show promise in preventing stress-related psychopathology. Operational and line manager training showed the most promise but need to be evaluated in high quality trials with sufficient follow-up to draw conclusions about their preventative benefits.
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The Biology of Human Resilience: Opportunities for Enhancing Resilience Across the Life Span. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 86:443-453. [PMID: 31466561 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent scientific and technological advances have brought us closer to being able to apply a true biopsychosocial approach to the study of resilience in humans. Decades of research have identified a range of psychosocial protective factors in the face of stress and trauma. Progress in resilience research is now advancing our understanding of the biology underlying these protective factors at multiple phenotypic levels, including stress response systems, neural circuitry function, and immune responses, in interaction with genetic factors. It is becoming clear that resilience involves active and unique biological processes that buffer the organism against the impact of stress, not simply involve a reversal of pathological mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress in the field, highlighting key psychosocial milestones and accompanying biological changes during development, and into adulthood and old age. Continued advances in our understanding of psychological, social, and biological determinants of resilience will contribute to the development of novel interventions and help optimize the type and timing of intervention for those most at risk, resulting in a possible new framework for enhancing resilience across the life span.
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Barnes-Ceeney K, Gideon L, Leitch L, Yasuhara K. Recovery After Genocide: Understanding the Dimensions of Recovery Capital Among Incarcerated Genocide Perpetrators in Rwanda. Front Psychol 2019; 10:637. [PMID: 31040801 PMCID: PMC6476899 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Utilizing survey data from 302 men and women incarcerated in the Rwandan correctional system for the crime of genocide, and structured interviews with 75 prisoners, this mixed methods study draws on the concept of recovery capital to understand how individuals convicted of genocide navigate post-genocide healing. Genocide smashes physical and human capital and perverts social and cultural capital. Experiencing high levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms with more than two-thirds of the sample scoring above typical civilian cut-off levels, raised levels of depression, and high levels of anxiety, and failing physical health, the genocide perpetrators require multiple sources of recovery capital to foster internal resilience as they look forward to rebuilding their own lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Barnes-Ceeney
- Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lior Gideon
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laurie Leitch
- Threshold GlobalWorks, LLC, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kento Yasuhara
- Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, United States
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Lewis-Schroeder NF, Kieran K, Murphy BL, Wolff JD, Robinson MA, Kaufman ML. Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment of Traumatic Stress in First Responders: A Review of Critical Issues. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2019; 26:216-227. [PMID: 29975339 PMCID: PMC6624844 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
First responders are regularly confronted with exposure to traumatic events, including potentially life-threatening situations as well as the grave injuries and deaths of colleagues and civilians. Evidence indicates that the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is substantially higher among first responders than the general population. This article provides information about the outpatient trauma services at McLean Hospital's LEADER (Law Enforcement, Active Duty, Emergency Responder) program to assist clinicians who encounter these first responders in their practices or who are specifically interested in working with this patient population. We begin by synthesizing the literature on the prevalence of PTSD in first responders following work-related exposure to traumatic stress, and by addressing the occupation-specific risk factors and the third-variable risk factors that may contribute to potentiated risk. We then discuss assessment strategies and treatment options used in our program, which is tailored for individuals who are dealing with mental health issues stemming from occupation-specific traumatic-stress exposure. We also address the unique challenges of treating traumatized first responders with more complex issues such as traumatic stress exposure across the lifespan and safety issues, including acute suicidality. We conclude by discussing notable gaps in the literature, including the need to investigate why and how women present with different PTSD symptoms than men and how these differences need to be taken into account in determining appropriate treatment for women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina F Lewis-Schroeder
- From Harvard Medical School (Drs. Lewis-Schroeder, Murphy, Robinson, and Kaufman) and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA (all)
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31
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Abstract
Resilience is defined as the dynamic ability to adapt successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, or significant threat. Some of the key early studies of resilience were observational studies in children. They were followed by research in adults, studies testing interventions to promote resilience in different populations, and a recent upsurge of studies on the underlying genomic and neurobiological mechanisms. Neural and molecular studies in preclinical models of resilience are also increasingly identifying active stress adaptations in resilient animals. Knowledge gained from animal and human studies of resilience can be harnessed to develop new preventive interventions to enhance resilience in at-risk populations. Further, treatment interventions focused on enhancing potentially modifiable protective factors that are consistently linked to psychological resilience can enrich currently available treatment interventions for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Translating our expanding knowledge of the neurobiology of resilience additionally promises to yield novel therapeutic strategies for treating this disabling condition. This review summarizes the vast field of resilience research spanning genomic, psychosocial, and neurobiological levels, and discusses how findings have led and can lead to new preventive and treatment interventions for PTSD.
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Varker T, Metcalf O, Forbes D, Chisolm K, Harvey S, Van Hooff M, McFarlane A, Bryant R, Phelps AJ. Research into Australian emergency services personnel mental health and wellbeing: An evidence map. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2018; 52:129-148. [PMID: 29108439 DOI: 10.1177/0004867417738054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence maps are a method of systematically characterising the range of research activity in broad topic areas and are a tool for guiding research priorities. AIMS 'Evidence-mapping' methodology was used to quantify the nature and distribution of recent peer-reviewed research into the mental health and wellbeing of Australian emergency services personnel. METHODS A search of the PsycINFO, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases was performed for primary research articles that were published between January 2011 and July 2016. RESULTS In all, 43 studies of primary research were identified and mapped. The majority of the research focused on organisational and individual/social factors and how they relate to mental health problems/wellbeing. There were several areas of research where very few studies were detected through the mapping process, including suicide, personality, stigma and pre-employment factors that may contribute to mental health outcomes and the use of e-health. No studies were detected which examined the prevalence of self-harm and/or harm to others, bullying, alcohol/substance use, barriers to care or experience of families of emergency services personnel. In addition, there was no comprehensive national study that had investigated all sectors of emergency services personnel. CONCLUSION This evidence map highlights the need for future research to address the current gaps in mental health and wellbeing research among Australian emergency services personnel. Improved understanding of the mental health and wellbeing of emergency services personnel, and the factors that contribute, should guide organisations' wellbeing policies and procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Varker
- 1 Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Olivia Metcalf
- 1 Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - David Forbes
- 1 Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine Chisolm
- 1 Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sam Harvey
- 2 School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,3 Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Miranda Van Hooff
- 4 Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Alexander McFarlane
- 4 Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Richard Bryant
- 5 School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrea J Phelps
- 1 Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
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Onyedire NG, Ekoh AT, Chukwuorji JC, Ifeagwazi CM. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among firefighters: Roles of resilience and locus of control. JOURNAL OF WORKPLACE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/15555240.2017.1369885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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McGowan JC, LaGamma CT, Lim SC, Tsitsiklis M, Neria Y, Brachman RA, Denny CA. Prophylactic Ketamine Attenuates Learned Fear. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:1577-1589. [PMID: 28128336 PMCID: PMC5518899 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine has been reported to be an efficacious antidepressant for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Most recently, ketamine has also been shown to be prophylactic against stress-induced depressive-like behavior in mice. It remains unknown, however, when ketamine should be administered relative to a stressor in order to maximize its antidepressant and/or prophylactic effects. Moreover, it is unknown whether ketamine can be prophylactic against subsequent stressors. We systematically administered ketamine at different time points relative to a fear experience, in order to determine when ketamine is most effective at reducing fear expression or preventing fear reactivation. Using a contextual fear conditioning (CFC) paradigm, mice were administered a single dose of saline or ketamine (30 mg/kg) at varying time points before or after CFC. Mice administered prophylactic ketamine 1 week, but not 1 month or 1 h before CFC, exhibited reduced freezing behavior when compared with mice administered saline. In contrast, ketamine administration following CFC or during extinction did not alter subsequent fear expression. However, ketamine administered before reinstatement increased the number of rearing bouts in an open field, possibly suggesting an increase in attentiveness. These data indicate that ketamine can buffer a fear response when given a week before as prophylactic, but not when given immediately before or after a stress-inducing episode. Thus, ketamine may be most useful in the clinic if administered in a prophylactic manner 1 week before a stressor, in order to protect against heightened fear responses to aversive stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine C McGowan
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christina T LaGamma
- Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA,Division of Integrative Neuroscience, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH)/New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), New York, NY, USA
| | - Sean C Lim
- Division of Integrative Neuroscience, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH)/New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), New York, NY, USA
| | - Melina Tsitsiklis
- Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuval Neria
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NYSPI Kolb Research Annex, New York, NY, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca A Brachman
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NYSPI Kolb Research Annex, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine A Denny
- Division of Integrative Neuroscience, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH)/New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NYSPI Kolb Research Annex, New York, NY, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NYSPI Kolb Research Annex, Room 777, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 87, New York, NY 10032, USA, Tel: +1 646 774 7100, Fax: +1 646 774 7102, E-mail:
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