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Traumatization and PTSD in Rescue Workers: Prevention, Assessment, and Interventions

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Book cover Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

Abstract

As a consequence of their professional activity, rescue workers are exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Therefore, they can develop negative effects both on a personal and on an organizational level. In particular, rescuers can be considered at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In general, the prevalence of PTSD is affected by the nature, the severity, and the repetition of the exposure to traumatic events. In particular, the higher rate of post-traumatic symptoms has been observed among ambulance operators because they are exposed to greater pressure and occupational stressors, if compared to other rescuers.

As indirect witnesses of critical events, rescuers are also exposed to the “stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person” that is vicarious traumatization (VT). VT symptoms are very similar to those observed in PTSD victims, but the mental condition associated with a trauma is transmitted by the victim to the rescuer.

Despite the frequent exposure to PTEs, the majority of rescuers do not develop negative effects because they can rely on several individual and organizational protective factors, post-traumatic growth, and adaptive flexibility.

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Abbreviations

CISD:

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

CISM:

Critical Incident Stress Management

PTE:

Potentially Traumatic Event

PTG:

Post-Traumatic Growth

VT:

Vicarious Traumatization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Unit of Applied Psychology, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 11, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Ilaria Setti & Piergiorgio Argentero

Authors
  1. Ilaria Setti
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  2. Piergiorgio Argentero
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Correspondence to Ilaria Setti .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. FactyofLifeSci&Med,Diabts&NutrnSciRshDiv, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. DepartofBiomedicalSci,SchoolofLifeScienc, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Setti, I., Argentero, P. (2016). Traumatization and PTSD in Rescue Workers: Prevention, Assessment, and Interventions. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08359-9_78

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