PTSD And Quality of Life Among Firefighters and Municipal Police Forces

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S513-S513
Author(s):  
C. Lima ◽  
Â. Maia ◽  
R. Ferreira ◽  
A. Magalhães ◽  
H. Nunes ◽  
...  

Research has shown that PTSD is prevalent among firefighters and police forces and that Quality of Life (QoL) is seriously compromised in individuals suffering from PTSD. However, QoL studies with these professionals are scarce. This study results from a screening program held by the Portuguese Red Cross (PRC) aiming to analyze predictors of QoL. Participants were 95 firefighters and municipal police officers. They answered the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) in order to evaluate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms, as well as measures of social support (3-Item Oslo Social Support Scale) and QoL (EUROHIS-QOL-8). From the results, there were no group differences regarding total PTSD, social support or QoL and 10% of participants reported enough symptoms to PTSD diagnostic. Social Support and PTSD explained 25% of QoL variance, PTSD symptoms explaining 10% (negative beta) and, in the second step, social support explained 15%. The results suggest that it would be important to include QoL as an outcome measure in clinical and research work in these populations, with special attention to PTSD and social support.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 396
Author(s):  
Melita Jukić ◽  
Ana Marija Lukinac ◽  
Ivan Požgain ◽  
Jasminka Talapko ◽  
Marko Jukić ◽  
...  

This study aims to establish the effect of self-perceived social support on the intensity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life (MHRQoL) in veterans more than two decades after exposure to trauma in the Homeland War in Croatia, which took place from 1990 to 1995. The sample comprised 259 Croatian Homeland War veterans diagnosed with PTSD, with at least 6 months of combat experience. Among them, 90 subjects had also experienced imprisonment in enemy prison camps (at least 1 month of captivity). The subjects were evaluated using the questionnaire on self-perceived social support, sociodemographic questionnaire, PTSD self-report checklist (PCL-5) and Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey questionnaire. A general regression model analysis was performed to determine whether social support affected patients’ MHRQoL and intensity of the PTSD symptoms. The obtained results showed that veterans who had a more positive perception of social support after the events of the war had less intense PTSD symptoms and better MHRQoL. Furthermore, captivity and socioeconomic status were shown to be important predictors of PTSD and MHRQoL. The nonimprisoned veteran group was more likely to develop more severe PTSD symptoms and have poorer MHRQoL compared to the group of former prisoners of war (ex-POWs). This could be due to better post-war care and social support, which ex-POWs received after their release from captivity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 195-195
Author(s):  
Regina Jacob ◽  
Laura Robbins ◽  
John Leonard ◽  
Janey C Peterson

195 Background: Long-term chronic lymphoma survivors report lower quality of life compared to those who are cured of lymphoma, despite an equal prevalence of PTSD symptoms in both groups. Posttraumatic Growth (PTG), or positive psychological change following a traumatic event, has been associated with greater acceptance of the disease and greater quality of life, particularly because PTG has been shown to diminish the negative effects of PTSD symptoms. Methods: Semi-structured, in-person qualitative interviews were conducted among a convenience sample of lymphoma survivors. Participants answered questions about their emotional reactions after diagnosis, during treatment, and symptoms of PTSD and positive changes—if any—that developed during the cancer experience. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using Grounded Theory methodology. Results: 77 lymphoma survivors - 75% chronic lymphoma, 25% curable lymphoma completed interviews. Themes included 1) disease: perception of health; 2) support system: physician support, social support, and healthcare system support; 3) internal processing: acquiring knowledge, and coping mechanisms; 4) fear: stigma of cancer; 5) growth: relationship with others, and appreciation of life; and 5) acceptance: preparation, and death & dying. Most participants, regardless of chronic or curable diagnoses, reported distress during diagnosis and treatment within the categories: perception of health, healthcare system support, social support, and acquiring knowledge. Chronic lymphoma participants reported less fear and subsequently less growth than their curable counterparts. Participants further viewed their cancer as carrying a different stigma, which then resulted in these blunted reactions. Conclusions: Chronic lymphoma patients do not follow the same psychological trajectory as their curable counterparts with regards to long-term adjustment. They, instead, emulate patients with other chronic disease. The blunted psychological experience of both PTSD symptoms and PTG could potentially explain the lower reports of quality of life in the long term cancer survivor with indolent disease.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olufolake Olabode ◽  
Timothy Omoluru ◽  
Olawunmi Olagundoye ◽  
Akinyele Akinlade ◽  
Henry Akujobi ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Chun-Chu Chen ◽  
Sui-Wen (Sharon) Zou ◽  
James F. Petrick

This research intends to examine whether frequent travelers are more satisfied with their life as well as why these individuals travel more frequently than others. Derived from a sample of 500 Taiwanese respondents, the study results show that respondents attaching personal importance to tourism are more likely to gather travel-relevant information, resulting in more frequent travels. It is also found that frequent travelers are more satisfied with their life. These findings suggest that travel and tourism can be an important life domain affecting how people evaluate their overall quality of life.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Mardia Mardia ◽  
Riris Andono Ahmad ◽  
Bambang Sigit Riyanto

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS based on the criteria for diagnosis and other factors.Methods: This study was conducted in the VCT clinic hospital of Dr. Moewardi. The population was HIV-positive patients with antiretroviral therapy. Data collection conducted through medical records and interview to patients. Results: Out of a total of 89 respondents, 66.29% were males and 71.91% were aged between 26-45 years. We found significant correlations for diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, opportunistic infections, time since HIV diagnosis, duration of ARV therapy, social support, modes of transport, sex, age, and marital status with the quality of life. Multivariate analysis obtained by each variable showed the strongest association with the quality of life was time since diagnosis, social support and duration of ARV therapy. Conclusion: The quality of life was better for those who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS ≥ 32 months, with social support, and who have been undergoing antiretroviral therapy ≥ 29 months. Improved counseling in the early days of ARV therapy is necessary to always maintain the treatment and provide support for their social life.


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