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Firefighters, posttraumatic stress disorder, and barriers to treatment: Results from a nationwide total population survey

Author

Listed:
  • Jieun E Kim
  • Stephen R Dager
  • Hyeonseok S Jeong
  • Jiyoung Ma
  • Shinwon Park
  • Jungyoon Kim
  • Yera Choi
  • Suji L Lee
  • Ilhyang Kang
  • Eunji Ha
  • Han Byul Cho
  • Sunho Lee
  • Eui-Jung Kim
  • Sujung Yoon
  • In Kyoon Lyoo

Abstract

Repeated exposure to traumatic experiences may put professional firefighters at increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To date, however, the rate of PTSD symptoms, unmet need for mental health treatment, and barriers to treatment have only been investigated in subsamples rather than the total population of firefighters. We conducted a nationwide, total population-based survey of all currently employed South Korean firefighters (n = 39,562). The overall response rate was 93.8% (n = 37,093), with 68.0% (n = 26,887) complete responses for all variables. The rate of current probable PTSD was estimated as 5.4%. Among those with current probable PTSD (n = 1,995), only a small proportion (9.7%) had received mental health treatment during the past month. For those who had not received treatment, perceived barriers of accessibility to treatment (29.3%) and concerns about potential stigma (33.8%) were reasons for not receiving treatment. Although those with higher PTSD symptom severity and functional impairment were more likely to seek treatment, greater symptom severity and functional impairment were most strongly associated with increased concerns about potential stigma. This nationwide study points to the need for new approaches to promote access to mental health treatment in professional firefighters.

Suggested Citation

  • Jieun E Kim & Stephen R Dager & Hyeonseok S Jeong & Jiyoung Ma & Shinwon Park & Jungyoon Kim & Yera Choi & Suji L Lee & Ilhyang Kang & Eunji Ha & Han Byul Cho & Sunho Lee & Eui-Jung Kim & Sujung Yoon , 2018. "Firefighters, posttraumatic stress disorder, and barriers to treatment: Results from a nationwide total population survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0190630
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190630
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ivar Krumpal, 2013. "Determinants of social desirability bias in sensitive surveys: a literature review," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 2025-2047, June.
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    1. Shannon C. Killip & Natalie K. R. Kwong & Joy C. MacDermid & Amber J. Fletcher & Nicholas R. Carleton, 2020. "The Quality, Readability, Completeness, and Accuracy of PTSD Websites for Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Marta Makara-Studzińska & Krystyna Golonka & Bernadetta Izydorczyk, 2019. "Self-Efficacy as a Moderator between Stress and Professional Burnout in Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Rebecca M. Schwartz & Pooja Shaam & Myia S. Williams & Molly McCann-Pineo & Laura Ryniker & Shubham Debnath & Theodoros P. Zanos, 2022. "Understanding Mental Health Needs and Gathering Feedback on Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential PTSD Treatment among 9/11 Responders Living with PTSD Symptoms 20 Years Late," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Zhisong Zhang & Kaising Sun & Chonnakarn Jatchavala & John Koh & Yimian Chia & Jessica Bose & Zhimeng Li & Wanqiu Tan & Sizhe Wang & Wenjing Chu & Jiayun Wang & Bach Tran & Roger Ho, 2019. "Overview of Stigma against Psychiatric Illnesses and Advancements of Anti-Stigma Activities in Six Asian Societies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-23, December.
    5. Andra Cătălina Roșca & Alexandru Mateizer & Cristina-Ioana Dan & Evangelia Demerouti, 2021. "Job Demands and Exhaustion in Firefighters: The Moderating Role of Work Meaning. A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
    6. Sharon A M Stevelink & Elena Opie & David Pernet & He Gao & Paul Elliott & Simon Wessely & Nicola T Fear & Matthew Hotopf & Neil Greenberg, 2020. "Probable PTSD, depression and anxiety in 40,299 UK police officers and staff: Prevalence, risk factors and associations with blood pressure," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, November.
    7. Andrea Fogarty & Zachary Steel & Philip B. Ward & Katherine M. Boydell & Grace McKeon & Simon Rosenbaum, 2021. "Trauma and Mental Health Awareness in Emergency Service Workers: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Behind the Seen Education Workshops," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.

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