J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2018 Sep;27(3):240-251. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2018.27.3.240.

Effects of a Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Management Program on Firefighters' Post-traumatic Stress and Depression

Affiliations
  • 1Doctoral Student, Graduate School, Department of Nursing, Inje University · Inje University Institute for International Safe Community, Busan, Korea.
  • 2Professor, Department of Nursing, Inje University · Inje University Institute for International Safe Community, Busan, Korea. jibai@daum.net

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a post-traumatic stress disorder management program in reducing firefighters' post-traumatic stress and depression.
METHODS
This study employed a nonequivalent control group design using pretest and posttest measurements. Sampling was conducted with a convenient method. 44 firefighters (experimental group=22, control group=22) who were at high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression were selected from 1,337 firefighters working in fire stations in multiple sites. Data were collected between August and October 2016. The post-traumatic stress disorder management program was provided to the experimental group for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-squared and independent t-tests.
RESULTS
Compared with the control group, participants in the experimental group showed significantly decreased scores for PTSD (t=−3.34, p=.002) and depression (t=−2.09, p=.043).
CONCLUSION
Our study findings show that firefighters' PTSD and depression can be systematically managed. Clinical practice should strengthen the ability to cope with PTSD by relieving the psychological trauma of firefighters who experience repeated traumatic events.

Keyword

Stress disorder; Post-traumatic; Depression; Firefighters

MeSH Terms

Depression*
Firefighters
Fires
Humans
Methods
Psychological Trauma
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*

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