J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2012 Dec;21(4):282-291.

Construction of a Post-traumatic Stress Model for Fire Fighters

• Kim Y
• Bae J

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine a hypothetical model designed to explain the influence of length of work experience, frequency of mobilization, traumatic events, and depression on post-traumatic stress (PTS) in Korean fire fighters.
METHODS
In this study 2,181 fire fighters were surveyed and data collection was conducted from September 7 to September 30, 2009 using an structured questionnaire. SPSS and AMOS programs were used for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and path analysis.
RESULTS
Frequency of mobilization, traumatic events, and depression showed direct effects on PTS for fire fighters, while length of work experience showed an indirect effect on PTS for fire fighters. The variables of this modified model explained 47.9% of the variance in PTS.
CONCLUSION
Through this study the hypothetical model adequately explained PTS in fire fighters. Fire fighter's PTS can be decreased by managing long-term work experience, frequency of mobilization, traumatic events, and depression. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to develop a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) program for PTS.

Keyword

Fire fighters; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Depression

MeSH Terms

Crisis Intervention
Data Collection
Depression
Firefighters
Fires
Humans
Surveys and Questionnaires
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Figure

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  Figure 1 Path coefficients of the hypothetical model.

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  Figure 2 Path coefficients of the modified model.

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