Abstract:
First responders (FRs) are continuously exposed to critical incidents, considered traumatic events (TEs). This cumulative exposure increases the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is no evidence about the relationship between PTSD symptoms and emergency decision-making (EDM). The objective of this study was to examine the EDM of FRs during a virtual reality through the simulation of two emergency scenarios to collect data on the reaction time and the number of incorrect decisions. We also assessed PTSD symptoms, TE, and sociodemographics. The sample included 368 Portuguese FRs, were 295 (80.20%) males and 73 (19.80%) females, with a mean age of 33.96 (SD = 9.38). Considering the probable PTSD diagnosis according to the DSM-5, 85 (23.10%) of the FRs met the criteria. These individuals who meet the criteria exhibited higher EDM scores (M = 19.60, SD = 5.99) compared to those without probable PTSD (M = 17.87, SD = .5.66) (F(1, 360) = 5.32, p = .02, partial η2 = .015). We found that TEs had a direct effect on EDM, β = -.16, Z = -3.74, p < .001), and the pathway of trauma-PTSD symptoms-decision-making an indirect effect, β = .02, Z = 3.10, p = .002). Individuals exposed to more TEs demonstrated faster and more accurate decision-making in the context of EDM. However, when these individuals developed PTSD symptoms, their decision-making became slower and less accurate. The inclusion of a trauma-informed approach for FRs to prevent individual and job-related consequences is discussed.
摘要:
第一响应者(FR)不断暴露于重大事件中,考虑创伤事件(TE)。这种累积暴露会增加创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)的风险。然而,没有证据表明PTSD症状与紧急决策(EDM)之间的关系。这项研究的目的是通过模拟两种紧急情况来检查虚拟现实过程中FR的EDM,以收集有关反应时间和错误决策数量的数据。我们还评估了创伤后应激障碍的症状,TE,和社会人口统计学。样本包括368个葡萄牙FR,男性295人(80.20%),女性73人(19.80%),平均年龄33.96(SD=9.38)。考虑到根据DSM-5可能的PTSD诊断,有85(23.10%)的FR符合标准。与没有可能的PTSD(M=17.87,SD=.5.66)的人相比,这些符合标准的人表现出更高的EDM得分(M=19.60,SD=5.99)(F(1,360)=5.32,p=.02,部分η2=.015)。我们发现TEs对电火花加工有直接影响,β=-.16,Z=-3.74,p<.001),创伤-创伤后应激障碍症状-决策的途径有间接影响,β=.02,Z=3.10,p=.002)。在EDM的背景下,接触更多TE的个人表现出更快,更准确的决策。然而,当这些人出现创伤后应激障碍症状时,他们的决策变得更慢更不准确。讨论了对FR采用创伤知情方法来防止个人和与工作相关的后果。