Citation

Haraldsdóttir HA, Gudmundsdóttir D, Romano E, Þórðardóttir EB, Guðmundsdóttir B, Elklit A. J. Emerg. Manag. 2014; 12(6): 457-466.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.; Department of Psychology, University of Ulster, Derry, Northern Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Weston Medical Publishing)

DOI

10.5055/jem.2014.0209

PMID

25530562

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the degree of traumatization and adaptation in professional and volunteer rescue workers after two snow avalanches.

METHOD: Questionnaires including demographic questions, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Rescue Workers Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Coping Styles Questionnaire were answered by rescue workers (n = 168).

RESULTS: In several areas, professional rescuers had stronger fears than volunteers, all the same, volunteers were significantly more anxious and met criteria for PTSD caseness more often than professionals.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that voluntary rescue workers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms more often than professionals following demanding rescue missions.

Language: en