Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T08:53:45.832Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Coping Strategies for Exposure to Trauma Situations in First Responders: A Systematic Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2022

Alejandra María Díaz-Tamayo Open the ORCID record for Alejandra María Díaz-Tamayo [Opens in a new window] ,
Jorge Reinerio Escobar-Morantes  and
Herney Andrés García-Perdomo
Alejandra María Díaz-Tamayo*
Affiliation:
Technology Program in Prehospital Care, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia UROGIV Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
Jorge Reinerio Escobar-Morantes
Affiliation:
Technology Program in Prehospital Care, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
Herney Andrés García-Perdomo
Affiliation:
UROGIV Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia Division of Urology/Urooncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
*
Correspondence: Prof. Alejandra María Diaz Cll 4b # 36-00 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of the present work was to characterize the coping strategies used by first responders to emergencies in the face of exposure to traumatic events.

Methods:

A systematic search was performed in the databases MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences), and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) from their inception through February 2022. First responders to emergencies with training in the prehospital area and who used validated measurement instruments for coping strategies were included.

Results:

First responders to emergencies frequently used nonadaptive coping strategies, with avoidance or disconnection being one of the main strategies, as a tool to avoid confronting difficult situations and to downplay the perceived stressful event. The nonadaptive coping strategies used by these personnel showed a strong relationship with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, burnout syndrome, psychiatric morbidity, and chronic stress. As part of the adaptive strategies, active coping was found, which includes acceptance, positive reinterpretation, focusing on the problem, self-efficacy, and emotional support, either social or instrumental, as protective strategies for these personnel.

Conclusions:

Developing adaptive coping strategies, whether focused on problems or seeking emotional support, can benefit emergency personnel in coping with stressful situations. These coping strategies should be strengthened to help prevent people from experiencing long-term negative effects that could arise from the traumatic events to which they are exposed. Active coping strategies instead of avoidance strategies should be promoted.

Keywords

adaptive strategiescoping strategiesemergency first respondernonadaptive strategies
Type
Systematic Review
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 37 , Issue 6 , December 2022 , pp. 810 - 818
Check for updates
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Topete Tovar, HG, Muñoz Fernández, VT, Castillo López, NG. History of prehospital care in Latin America. Distribuna. 2015.Google Scholar
Payne, N, Kinman, G. Job demands, resources and work-related well-being in UK firefighters. Occup Med (Chic Ill). 2019;69(8-9):604–609.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wojtysiak, K, Wielgus, A, Zielińska-Więczkowska, H. The impact of working conditions on stress and its effects in the group of paramedics: a systematic review. Humanit Soc Sci Rev. 2021;9(4):188–193.Google Scholar
Krakauer, RL, Stelnicki, AM, Carleton, RN. Examining mental health knowledge, stigma, and service use intentions among public safety personnel. Front Psychol. 2020;11(May):1–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Teoh, KRH, Lima, E, Vasconcelos, A, Nascimento, E, Cox, T. Trauma and work factors as predictors of firefighters’ psychiatric distress. Occup Med (Chic Ill). 2019;69(8-9):598–603.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Melendez, MA, González, EL, González, R. Labor fatigue, through the application of SOFI-SM in Mexican fire fighters. Rev Colomb Salud Ocup. 2018;8(1):0–4.Google Scholar
Lazarus, R, Folkman, S. Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. New York USA: Springer Publishing Company; 1984: p445.Google Scholar
Loef, J, Vloet, LCM, Vierhoven, PH, et al. Starting ambulance care professionals and critical incidents: a qualitative study on experiences, consequences, and coping strategies. BMC Emerg Med. 2021;21(1):1–10.Google ScholarPubMed
Bilsker, D, Gilbert, M, Alden, L, Sochting, I, Khalis, A. Basic dimensions of resilient coping in paramedics and dispatchers. Australas J Paramed. 2019;16:1–8.Google Scholar
Andreo, A, Salvador Hilario, P, Orteso, FJ. Anxiety and coping strategies. Eur J Heal Res. 2020;6(2):213–225.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Echeburúa, E, Amor, PJ. Traumatic memories: adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Ter Psicológica. 2019;37(1):71–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jurisová, E. Coping strategies and post-traumatic growth in paramedics. Stud Psychol (Bratisl). 2016;58(4):259–275.Google Scholar
Green, S, Higgins, JPT. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 5.1.0. 2011. Hoboken, New Jersey USA: John Wiley & Sons; 2011.Google Scholar
Liberati, A, Altman, D, Tetzlaff, J. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151(4):W65–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Diaz-Tamayo, A, Escobar, J, García-Perdomo, H. Coping strategies in first responders to emergencies. Systematic Review. 2022.Google Scholar
Herzog, R, Álvarez-Pasquin, MJ, Díaz, C, Del Barrio, JL, Estrada, JM, Gil, Á. Are healthcare workers intentions to vaccinate related to their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes? A systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2013;13(1):1–17.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Witczak-Błoszyk, K, Krysińska, K, Andriessen, K, Stańdo, J, Czabański, A. Work-related suicide exposure, occupational burnout, and coping in Emergency Medical Services personnel in Poland. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1156.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miller, A, Brown, LW. Coping mechanism and professional quality of life in northeast Texas EMS personnel during the covid-19 pandemic: an exploratory study. Australas J Paramed. 2021;18:1–8.Google Scholar
Almutairi, MN, Azza, AA. Burnout and coping methods among emergency medical services professionals. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020;13:271–279.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Alghamdi, M, Hunt, N, Thomas, S. The effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy with traumatized firefighters in Saudi Arabia: a randomized controlled study. Behav Res Ther. 2015;66:64–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Meyer, EC, Zimering, R, Daly, E, Knight, J, Kamholz, BW, Gulliver, SB. Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and other psychological symptoms in trauma-exposed firefighters. Psychol Serv. 2012;9(1):1–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Soravia, LM, Schwab, S, Walther, S, Müller, T. Rescuers at risk: posttraumatic stress symptoms among police officers, fire fighters, ambulance personnel, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. Front Psychiatry. 2021;11(January):1–10.Google ScholarPubMed
Lee, JH, Park, S, Sim, M. Relationship between ways of coping and posttraumatic stress symptoms in firefighters compared to the general population in South Korea. Psychiatry Res. 2018;270:649–655.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Witt, M, Stelcer, B, Czarnecka-Iwańczuk, M. Stress coping styles in firemen exposed to severe stress. Psychiatr Pol. 2018;52(3):543–555.Google ScholarPubMed
Kucmin, T, Kucmin, A, Turska, D, Turski, A, Nogalski, A. Coping styles and dispositional optimism as predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms intensity in paramedics. Psychiatr Pol. 2018;52(3):557–571.Google ScholarPubMed
Theleritis, C, Psarros, C, Mantonakis, L, et al. Coping and its relation to PTSD in Greek firefighters. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020;208(3):252–259.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clohessy, S, Ehlers, A. PTSD symptoms, response to intrusive memories and coping in ambulance service workers. Br J Clin Psychol. 1999;38(3):251–265.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Durham, TW, McCammon, SL, Allison, EJ. The psychological impact of disaster on rescue personnel. Ann Emerg Med. 1985;14(7):664–668.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huang, J, Li, X, An, Y. The mediating role of coping in the relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and job burnout among Chinese firefighters. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2021;94(2):243–250.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tomaka, J, Magoc, D, Morales-Monks, S, Reyes, A. Posttraumatic stress symptoms and alcohol-related outcomes among municipal firefighters. J Trauma Stress. 2017;30(4):416–424.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moskola, V, Sándor, ÁD, Susánszky, É, et al. Examination of coping strategies among on-site paramedics. Eur J Ment Heal. 2021;2:184–195.Google Scholar
Minnie, L, Goodman, S, Wallis, L. Exposure to daily trauma: the experiences and coping mechanism of emergency medical personnel. A cross-sectional study. African J Emerg Med. 2015;5(1):12–18.Google Scholar
Boland, LL, Mink, PJ, Kamrud, JW, Jeruzal, JN, Stevens, AC. Social support outside the workplace, coping styles, and burnout in a cohort of EMS providers from Minnesota. Work Heal Saf. 2019;67(8):414–422.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dowdall-Thomae, C, Gilkey, J, Larson, W, Arend-Hicks, R. Elite firefighter/first responder mindsets and outcome coping efficacy. Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2012;14(4):269–282.Google ScholarPubMed
Pisarski, A, Bohle, P, Callan, VJ. Extended shifts in ambulance work: influence on health. Stress Heal. 2002;18(3):119–126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shakespeare-Finch, J, Smith, S, Trauma, Obst P., coping resources, and family functioning in emergency services personnel: a comparative study. Work Stress. 2002;16(3):275–282.Google Scholar
Halpern, J, Maunder, RG, Schwartz, B, Gurevich, M. Attachment insecurity, responses to critical incident distress, and current emotional symptoms in ambulance workers. Stress Heal. 2012;28(1):51–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fonseca, SM, Cunha, S, Faria, S, Campos, R, Queirós, C. Why are emergency medical technicians’ coping strategies dysfunctional? Direct and indirect effects of resilience and perceived stress. Int Emerg Nurs. 2021;56:100995.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Iwasaki, Y, Mannell, RC, Smale, BJA, Butcher, J. Contributions of leisure participation in predicting stress coping and health among police and emergency response services workers. J Health Psychol. 2005;10(1):79–99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Piñar-Navarro, E, Fuente, GAC-DL, González-Jiménez, E, Hueso-Montoro, C. Anxiety and strategies for coping with stress used by first responders and out-of-hospital emergency health care staff before the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergencias. 2020;32(5):371–373.Google ScholarPubMed
Völker, J, Flohr-Devaud, MEF. Emotions in emergency medical services personnel: emotional reactivity, empathy, and strategies compared to students. Notfall Rettungsmedizin. 2021;1–6.Google Scholar
Sattler, DN, Boyd, B, Kirsch, J. Trauma-exposed firefighters: relationships among posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress, resource availability, coping and critical incident stress debriefing experience. Stress Heal. 2014;30(5):356–365.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yang, SK, Ha, Y. Predicting posttraumatic growth among firefighters: the role of deliberate rumination and problem-focused coping. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3879.Google ScholarPubMed
Chang, C, Lee, L, Connor, KM, Davidson, JRT, Jeffries, K, Lai, T. Posttraumatic distress and coping strategies among rescue workers after an earthquake. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2003;191(6):391–398.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chang, CM, Lee, LC, Connor, KM, Davidson, JRT, Lai, TJ. Modification effects of coping on post-traumatic morbidity among earthquake rescuers. Psychiatry Res. 2008;158(2):164–171.Google ScholarPubMed
Oginska-Bulik, N, Langer, I. Type D personality, coping with stress and intensity of PTSD symptoms in firefighters. Med Pr. 2007;58(4):307–316.Google Scholar
Vaulerin, J, D’Arripe-Longueville, F, Emile, M, Colson, SS. Physical exercise and burnout facets predict injuries in a population-based sample of French career firefighters. Appl Ergon. 2016;54:131–135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Demiroz, F, Haase, TW. The concept of resilience: a bibliometric analysis of the emergency and disaster management literature. Local Gov Stud. 2019;45(3):308–327.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scott, Z, O’Curry, S, Mastroyannopoulou, K. The impact and experience of debriefing for clinical staff following traumatic events in clinical settings: a systematic review. J Trauma Stress. 2022;35(1):278–287.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Petrie, K, Milligan-Saville, J, Gayed, A, et al. Prevalence of PTSD and common mental disorders amongst ambulance personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2018;53(9):897–909.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Acuña Conejero, SS, Aguado Márquez, NM, Álvarez Casado, J, Amores Tola, R. Posttraumatic stress disorder in emergency response. Med Segur Trab (Madr). 2021;67(264):232–244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brooks, D, Brooks, R. A systematic review: what factors predict post-traumatic stress symptoms in ambulance personnel? Br Paramed J. 2021;5(4):18–24.Google ScholarPubMed
Arble, E, Daugherty, AM, Arnetz, BB. Models of first responder coping: police officers as a unique population. Stress Heal. 2018;34(5):612–621.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stępka-Tykwińska, E, Basińska, MA, Sołtys, M, Piórowska, A. Selected personality traits as predictors of coping flexibility in a group of officers of the state fire service. Med Pr. 2019;70(5):555–565.Google Scholar
Borzyszkowska, A, Basińska, MA. Two types of flexibility: in coping and cognitive, and their relationship with stress among firefighters. Med Pr. 2020;71(4):441–450.Google ScholarPubMed
Di Nota, PM, Kasurak, E, Bahji, A, Groll, D, Anderson, GS. Coping among public safety personnel: a systematic review and meta–analysis. Stress Heal. 2021;37(4):613–630.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Warren-James, M, Dodd, N, Perera, C, Clegg, L, Stallman, HM. How do paramedics cope? A scoping review. Australas Emerg Care. 2022;25(3):191–196.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Donovan, N. Peer support facilitates post-traumatic growth in first responders: a literature review. Trauma (United Kingdom). 2022.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Díaz-Tamayo et al. supplementary material

Díaz-Tamayo et al. supplementary material 1

Download Díaz-Tamayo et al. supplementary material(File)
File 31.9 KB
Supplementary material: File

Díaz-Tamayo et al. supplementary material

Díaz-Tamayo et al. supplementary material 2

Download Díaz-Tamayo et al. supplementary material(File)
File 13.3 KB