Temperamental correlates of trauma symptoms in firemen, policemen and soldiers

Psychological Variables Associated With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Firefighters: A Systematic Review

Firefighters are repeatedly exposed to work-related potential traumatic events and have an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the mechanisms implicated in this relationship are not clear. The aim of this study was to analyse the risk and protective factors related to the development of PTSD in firefighters. According to PRISMA, a systematic review of scientific literature was conducted in Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) was used as the methodological quality indicator of the selected articles (PROSPERO reference CRD42020213009). Prognostic studies involving active firefighters with presence of post-traumatic symptomatology, presenting original findings, and written in Spanish or English were included. A total of 1768 potentially eligible articles were identified. According to the inclusion criteria, 87 articles were selected to evaluate the full text. Finally, 19 articles were included, comprising 12,298 active firefighters. There is high heterogeneity in the variables evaluated in the different studies. Taking the data for which this review has found more evidence (moderate support), operational stress, job duration, burnout, expressive suppression and rumination could be risk factors of PTSD, and belongingness and dispositional mindfulness could be protective factors. Other variables with weak support (e.g. resilience) were analysed. This review analyses the available literature, highlighting its scarcity for future research on the subject. Due to repeated trauma exposure, it is important to continue investigations and bear these variables in mind for the prevention of PTSD in firefighters.

The Relationship Between Temperament Traits and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Its Moderators: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and disabling reaction to extreme stress. Because of the strong consequences of long-lasting PTSD symptoms, the research of risk and protective factors is needed. Presented meta-analysis aimed to verify temperament traits according to the Regulative Theory of Temperament as risk/protective factors of PTSD symptoms development. The studies for this meta-analysis were found in four main databases of scientific journals and due to contact with first authors, the unpublished data was accessed as well. The inclusion criteria allowed studies with traumatized adult populations and operationalization of the temperament according to the Regulative Theory of Temperament. Finally, data were included from 19 studies (5971 people: 3443 men and 2528 females, in the age of 13-85) with prospective, longitudinal and cross-sectional study designs, carried out among people exposed to combat trauma, occupational trauma (policemen and fire-fighters), disasters (flood, fire and mining catastrophes), motor vehicle accidents and chronic illnesses. The results show significant moderate and weak relations of all temperament traits to PTSD symptoms regardless of people's gender, type of study, type of trauma, DSM version and temperament measure as well as the time elapsed after the trauma. Among different moderators, a previously unrecognized effect of gender was revealed as it explained a significant amount of variance in the case of emotional reactivity, endurance, and perseveration - the relationship was significantly stronger among men than women. Methodological conclusions for further research on personality and trauma are drawn.

Contributions of Affective Temperament Traits to Professional Choice: Evidence from the Study of Firefighters, Musicians, Athletes, Bank Managers, Nurses and Paramedics

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge about the relationship between temperament and choice of profession by comparing temperaments among representatives of various professional groups.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 759 subjects aged 18-71, representatives of six professional groups: firefighters, musicians, athletes, bank managers, nurses and paramedics, were included in the study. Temperament was assessed using the TEMPS-A autoquestionnaire.

Results

Musicians showed higher levels of depressive and anxious temperaments whereas firefighters were lower on cyclothymic dimension. Athletes, bank managers and paramedics showed higher intensity of hyperthymic temperament compared to firefighters, musicians and nurses. Athletes showed lower of depressive temperament compared to bankers, musicians and nurses. Bankers obtained lower results of irritable temperament compared to musicians, athletes and nurses. Nurses showed a higher intensity of anxious temperament compared to firefighters, athletes and paramedics.

Conclusion

The results obtained support the concept of adaptive and socially useful role of affective temperaments. The studied professional groups show different individual temperamental profiles, which is justified in such aspects of the profession, as the level of stimulation, stress encountered, the necessity of making important decisions, or entering into relationship with the patient.