Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Compared to other occupational groups, first responders (FR) experience worse mental health outcomes due to duty-related trauma and occupational stressors. Despite their best efforts, they bring this stress home to friends and family. Consequently, FR and their supporters suffer from increased psychosocial difficulties and experience stigma and other barriers to help-seeking. Prior work offers little opportunity for open dialogue and shared understanding of the repercussions of this occupation for all members of the first responder community. In this qualitative study, we aimed to: (i) explore the lived experience of Irish FR and their family members (FM) related to occupational stressors, and (ii) identify opportunities to engage FM with existing organizational supports available for FR.
METHODS: Using a community based participatory research (CBPR) approach, we conducted six focus groups involving a total of fourteen participants comprising FR, organizational representatives, and FM. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS: FR and FM shared their experiences of both joining and learning to live as members of the FR community in Ireland. Through our analysis, we identified a main theme of \'crossing thresholds\', characterizing their transformative learning experiences. This learning experience includes recognizing the consequences of this new role for them as individuals and for their relationships. Participants also shared how they have learned to cope with the consequences of their roles and what they need to better support each other.
CONCLUSIONS: FM are often unheard, hidden members of the first responder community in Ireland, highlighting an unmet need for FR organizations to acknowledge FM role in supporting FR and to provide them with the appropriate training and resources required. Training for new recruits needs to move beyond the tokenistic involvement of FM and encourage knowledge sharing among experienced and novice members. Cultural change is required to support help-seeking among FR and foster a sense of peer support and community among families.
METHODS: Using a community based participatory research (CBPR) approach, we conducted six focus groups involving a total of fourteen participants comprising FR, organizational representatives, and FM. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS: FR and FM shared their experiences of both joining and learning to live as members of the FR community in Ireland. Through our analysis, we identified a main theme of \'crossing thresholds\', characterizing their transformative learning experiences. This learning experience includes recognizing the consequences of this new role for them as individuals and for their relationships. Participants also shared how they have learned to cope with the consequences of their roles and what they need to better support each other.
CONCLUSIONS: FM are often unheard, hidden members of the first responder community in Ireland, highlighting an unmet need for FR organizations to acknowledge FM role in supporting FR and to provide them with the appropriate training and resources required. Training for new recruits needs to move beyond the tokenistic involvement of FM and encourage knowledge sharing among experienced and novice members. Cultural change is required to support help-seeking among FR and foster a sense of peer support and community among families.
摘要：
背景：与其他职业群体相比，第一反应者(FR)由于与职责相关的创伤和职业应激源而经历更糟糕的心理健康结局.尽管他们尽了最大努力，他们把这种压力带回家的朋友和家人。因此,FR及其支持者遭受的心理社会困难增加，并遭受污名化和寻求帮助的其他障碍。先前的工作几乎没有机会进行公开对话，并共同理解这一职业对第一响应者社区所有成员的影响。在这项定性研究中，我们的目标是：(I)探索爱尔兰FR及其家庭成员(FM)与职业压力源相关的生活经验，（ii）确定与FR现有组织支持联系FM的机会。
方法：使用基于社区的参与式研究（CBPR）方法，我们进行了六个焦点小组，共有14名参与者，包括FR，组织代表,和FM。所有焦点小组都被录音，转录，并使用反身性主题分析法进行分析。
结果：FR和FM分享了他们作为爱尔兰FR社区成员加入和学习生活的经验。通过我们的分析,我们确定了“跨越阈值”的主题，描述他们变革性的学习经历。这种学习经历包括认识到这种新角色对他们作为个人和他们的关系的后果。与会者还分享了他们如何学会应对角色的后果，以及他们需要什么来更好地相互支持。
结论：FM通常是闻所未闻的，爱尔兰第一响应者社区的隐藏成员，强调FR组织需要承认FM在支持FR方面的作用，并为他们提供所需的适当培训和资源。对新兵的培训需要超越FM的象征性参与，并鼓励有经验和新手成员之间的知识共享。需要进行文化变革，以支持FR之间寻求帮助，并在家庭中培养同伴支持和社区感。
方法：使用基于社区的参与式研究（CBPR）方法，我们进行了六个焦点小组，共有14名参与者，包括FR，组织代表,和FM。所有焦点小组都被录音，转录，并使用反身性主题分析法进行分析。
结果：FR和FM分享了他们作为爱尔兰FR社区成员加入和学习生活的经验。通过我们的分析,我们确定了“跨越阈值”的主题，描述他们变革性的学习经历。这种学习经历包括认识到这种新角色对他们作为个人和他们的关系的后果。与会者还分享了他们如何学会应对角色的后果，以及他们需要什么来更好地相互支持。
结论：FM通常是闻所未闻的，爱尔兰第一响应者社区的隐藏成员，强调FR组织需要承认FM在支持FR方面的作用，并为他们提供所需的适当培训和资源。对新兵的培训需要超越FM的象征性参与，并鼓励有经验和新手成员之间的知识共享。需要进行文化变革，以支持FR之间寻求帮助，并在家庭中培养同伴支持和社区感。
