Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Trauma Exposure and Suicidal Ideation among Korean Male Firefighters: Examining the Moderating Roles of Organizational Climate

  • Chi-Yun Back (Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University) ;
  • Dae-Sung Hyun (Department of Non-benefits Management, National Health Insurance Service) ;
  • Sei-Jin Chang (Department of Preventive Medicine and Institute of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University) ;
  • Da-Yee Jeung (Department of Dental Hygiene, Hanyang Women's University)
  • Received : 2022.11.14
  • Accepted : 2022.11.23
  • Published : 2023.03.30
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Abstract

Background: This study investigated the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation. Moreover, this study examines the moderating roles of organizational climate on the association between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation in Korean male firefighters. Methods: A total of 15,104 male firefighters who completed a questionnaire were analyzed. The data were obtained using an online self-administered questionnaire from the Firefighter Research on Enhancement of Safety and Health Study. Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of trauma exposure on suicidal ideation and the moderating effect of organizational climate. Results: The results showed that 389 firefighters (2.6%) responded that they had experienced suicidal ideation. In the final model, trauma exposure was positively related to suicidal ideation (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.076; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.051-1.103), and organizational climate was negatively associated with suicidal ideation (aRR, 0.772; 95% CI: 0.739-0.806). Additionally, the interaction term (trauma exposure × organizational climate) was related to suicidal ideation (aRR, 1.016; 95% CI: 1.009-1.023). Conclusions: This study suggests that trauma exposure might play a significant role in developing suicidal ideation and that positive organizational climate moderates the negative effects of trauma exposure on suicidal ideation among firefighters. It is necessary to perform a follow-up study of various intervention strategies to maintain a healthy organizational climate or work environment. Such interventions should promote lasting trust within teams, provide social support and belonging, and nurture job value.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Editage (www.editage.co.kr) for English language editing and Mr Myung-Ha Kim for his technical support.

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