• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate that the prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and occupational environmental factors that contribute to the developing of PTSD in workers who worked in emergency room in Korea. Methods: This study is a multicenter cross-sectional study that was conducted in three emergency rooms. Data was collected by self-response method through questionnaire. The Impact Event Scale-Revised was used to screen the high-risk group of PTSD. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with the developing of high-risk group of PTSD. Results: Total 211 subjects responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 170 subjects experienced psychological trauma event (PTE) in the working environment. And 60 subjects classified as high risk group of PTSD, so a prevalence of high risk group for PTSD was 28.4%. Factors related to the high risk group of PTSD were the frequency of psychological trauma events experienced over the past 1 year and the high score of QIDS-SR16. Conclusion: The prevalence of high risk group for PTSD among emergency room workers in Korea is very high. This may adversely affect the safety of patients, so early screening and intervention are necessary.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.96-106
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was dont: to evaluate the factors that influence secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and physical symptoms experienced by firefighters. In addition, a hypothetical model was developed. Method: The data were collected using self-reported questionnaires from 410 field service firefighters. Data analysis was done with the SPSSWIN 10.0 program for descriptive statistics and Windows LISREL program to determine the causal relationship between the measurement variables. Results: The hypothetical model which was developed fits well with actual data(${\chi}^2$=3.16, p=0.99, GFI=1.00, AGFI=0.99, NFI=0.99, and NNFI=1.06). The variable, personality type, social support, and impact mobilization frequency had a significant effect and accounted for 7% of the secondary traumatic stress in firefighters. The variables, career, social support, and secondary traumatic stress had a significant effect and accounted for 24% of the burnout in firefighters. Social support, impact mobilization frequency, and secondary traumatic stress were important variables and accounted for 31% of the physical symptoms in firefighters. Conclusion: It is necessary for firefighters to manage themselves according to their personality types. Strategies that can increase the firefighters' social support and decrease their perceived secondary traumatic stress also need to be developed to minimize or prevent a negative effect on their health.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.277-289
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• 2018

Background: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), the subject of this evaluative research document employs 1400 people. 80% of employees are operational firefighters and officers whom operate across a range of duty systems and support functions, providing prevention, protection and emergency response to the communities of Lancashire. Methods: The overarching purpose of this epidemiological study is to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst operational LFRS personnel and to analyse the effects upon those who may be suffering from it, whether brought about by a single traumatic event or by repeated exposure to traumatic occurrences over a period of time. A combination of primary and secondary research was carried out. Primary data was collated using two recognised clinical questionnaires and statistical analysis was conducted with the aid of the software package SPSS. Results: The findings and statistical analysis showed that out of the 100 people surveyed, 30% of respondents had signs of probable distress. Of this quota, 4% showed symptoms of PTSD. The study considers how an organisation can recognise and manage PTSD and provides recommendations to assist in better recognising and managing the associated risks. Conclusion: Based upon the findings, the authors conclude that the level of PTSD within LFRS is slightly lower than those found in other studies undertaken within the Fire and Rescue Service sector. The paper provides recommendations for future studies and a series of actions for consideration by LFRS senior management to improve PTSD support services for employees.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.27 no.2_1
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• pp.287-295
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• 2024

Many first aiders suffer from the stress of working in uncertain disaster sites. The stress of responding to disasters leads to an increase in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a decrease in psychological well-being. It also has many negative effects on the meaning in life for first aiders. Reduced meaning in life will result in many societal opportunity costs due to decreased health and work engagement. To address this issue, this study conducted a survey to analyze the level of meaning in life of first aiders. The results indicated that the overall level of meaning in life of first aiders is very low. This issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, given the increasing trend of emergency response. Based on the results of the study, measures were proposed to reduce PTSD and psychological stability by restoring the meaningfulness of first aiders' lives.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2023

Purpose: This study conducted a systematic literature review to analyze the factors related to suicidal ideation among firefighters. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify factors influencing suicidal ideation among firefighters, using Korean academic information search services from January to June 2022. A total of 238 articles were searched using keywords such as "firefighter," "depression," "post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)," "cognitive emotion regulation," "suicide," and "suicidal ideation." Among them, nine articles were selected for analysis using descriptive correlation studies. Results: It was found that the relationship between firefighter stress (PTSD) and suicidal thoughts was mediated by depression. Even if the stress level (PTSD) was high, suicidal thoughts decreased when the emotional coping level was high. Conclusion: To prevent firefighters from committing suicide, intervention programs with effective approaches to quickly identify high at-risk people and improve their emotional coping skills, should be implemented.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.4040-4047
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to analyze a change in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) level and the continuity of the effects in music therapy by applying short-term music therapy program in fire fighters with Post-traumatic Stress (PTS). Forty two fire fighters in 3 districts were randomly assigned to experimental group (21 subjects) and control group (21 subjects). Music therapy was applied in totally 10 sessions by two sessions (120 minutes) a day for 5 days. PTS level was measured immediately after the end of program, after 4 weeks, and after 12 weeks. As a result, PTS level has significantly decreased into $8.90{\pm}4.55$ from $26.52{\pm}2.32$ right after the music therapy program(p<0.05). And the effect was shown to be continued significantly up to after 4 weeks($11.95{\pm}4.57$) and after 12 weeks($13.76{\pm}5.62$)(p<0.05). As a result of research, it is considered that the music therapy is effective approach for reduction in PTS as for fire fighters who belong to the group with high risk of PTSD. Accordingly, the application of regular program for managing fire fighters' mental health is understood to likely to contribute to enhancing the field service competence.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the application of the multidisciplinary model, which is customized evidence-based counseling for abused preschool children done by a day care center teacher. Methods: The participants were 16 preschool children which were abused by a day care center teacher and their parents. The data were analyzed by using the Wilcoxon Signed-rank test. Results: The multidisciplinary cooperative service model based on customized evidence-based counseling for abused preschool children, their parents, and day care center teachers was developed. Based on this model, customized evidence-based Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) emergency intervention was provided to preschool children abused by a day care teacher in Incheon. The multidisciplinary cooperative emergency intervention service proved to be effective in reducing emotional and behavioral problems of abused preschool children and enhancing the mental health of parents. Conclusion/Implications: The results of this study indicated that the customized evidence-based counseling for abused preschool children done by a day care center teacher using the multidisciplinary cooperative linkage system would be effective, and that child abuse prevention by day care center teachers and intervention services should be provided systematically at the national level.