scholarly journals Experiences of families of public safety personnel: a systematic review protocol of qualitative evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janette Leroux ◽  
Rachel Richmond ◽  
Sara Fitzpatrick ◽  
Hannah Kirkland ◽  
Deborah Norris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Family Systems Theory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Organizational Policies ◽  
Critical Gap ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Safety Personnel

Abstract Background Public safety occupations are well-recognized to be dangerous and stressful. Despite recent attention on post-traumatic stress injuries among public safety personnel, there has been considerably less attention paid to the ongoing ways in which the risks and requirements associated with those occupations shape family life, and how families respond and adapt to those lifestyle dimensions. This systematic review aims to understand how day-to-day family life is affected and shaped when a family member works in a public safety sector, such as fire, police, paramedic, corrections, and emergency communications. Methods Qualitative studies that examine the experiences of families or family members of public safety personnel will be included in this review, with no date or language restrictions. An initial search of Embase and CINAHL will be conducted, followed by an analysis of text words contained in the title and abstract, and of the index terms used to describe the articles. Databases to be searched for published studies include MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Sciences, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers. The full texts of selected studies will be assessed in detail, and findings and their illustrations will be extracted and aggregated. Any disagreements between the reviewers that arise at each stage will be resolved through discussion, or by a third reviewer. Further analysis of the synthesized findings will be informed by family systems theory. Discussion The ways that occupational risks and requirements shape family life have been better investigated within other high-risk occupation groups, which has led to productive advancements in organizational policies and supports in the respective sectors. An understanding of the experiences which typify family life ongoing within PSP sectors is a critical gap in the development of meaningful family-informed occupational initiatives and supports. Systematic review registration Submitted to PROSPERO for systematic review registration: CRD42020208126

scholarly journals Coping among public safety personnel: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula M. Di Nota ◽  
Emily Kasurak ◽  
Anees Bahji ◽  
Dianne Groll ◽  
Gregory S. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Safety Personnel

scholarly journals Mental health and social support among public safety personnel

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 427-433
Author(s):  
K D Vig ◽  
J E Mason ◽  
R N Carleton ◽  
G J G Asmundson ◽  
G S Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Safety Personnel

Abstract Background Social support may be a protective factor for the mental health of public safety personnel (PSP), who are frequently exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events and report substantial post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms. Research examining perceived social support and its association with PTSD and MDD in different PSP categories (e.g. firefighters, paramedics) is limited. Aims To examine differences in perceived social support across PSP and determine whether perceived social support is associated with differences in rates of MDD and PTSD. Methods We asked Canadian PSP, including correctional workers and officers, public safety communications officials, firefighters, paramedics, municipal and provincial police officers, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers, to complete an online anonymous survey that assessed socio-demographic information (e.g. occupation, sex, marital status, service years), social supports and symptoms of mental disorders, including PTSD and MDD. Analyses included ANOVA and logistic regression models. Results Perceived social support differed by PSP occupation. RCMP officers reported lower social support than all other PSP except paramedics. For most PSP categories, PSP who reported greater social support were less likely to screen positive for PTSD (adjusted odds ratios [AORs]: 0.90–0.93). Across all PSP categories, greater perceived social support was associated with a decreased likelihood of screening positive for MDD (AORs: 0.85–0.91). Conclusions Perceived social support differs across some PSP categories and predicts PTSD and MDD diagnostic status. Studies involving diagnostic clinical interviews, longitudinal designs and social support interventions are needed to replicate and extend our results.

scholarly journals Compromised Conscience: A Scoping Review of Moral Injury Among Firefighters, Paramedics, and Police Officers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana M. Lentz ◽  
Lorraine Smith-MacDonald ◽  
David Malloy ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton ◽  
Suzette Brémault-Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Moral Injury ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Safety Personnel

BackgroundPublic Safety Personnel (e.g., firefighters, paramedics, and police officers) are routinely exposed to human suffering and need to make quick, morally challenging decisions. Such decisions can affect their psychological wellbeing. Participating in or observing an event or situation that conflicts with personal values can potentially lead to the development of moral injury. Common stressors associated with moral injury include betrayal, inability to prevent death or harm, and ethical dilemmas. Potentially psychologically traumatic event exposures and post-traumatic stress disorder can be comorbid with moral injury; however, moral injury extends beyond fear to include spiritual, cognitive, emotional or existential struggles, which can produce feelings of severe shame, guilt, and anger.ObjectiveThis scoping review was designed to identify the extant empirical research regarding the construct of moral injury, its associated constructs, and how it relates to moral distress in firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.MethodsA systematic literature search of peer-reviewed research was conducted using databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsychInfo, CINHAL PLUS, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. Included studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria before being manually extracted and independently screened by two reviewers.ResultsThe initial database search returned 777 articles, 506 of which remained after removal of duplicates. Following review of titles, abstracts, and full texts, 32 studies were included in the current review. Participants in the articles were primarily police officers, with fewer articles focusing on paramedics and firefighters. There were two studies that included mixed populations (i.e., one study with police officers, firefighters, and other emergency service workers; one study with paramedic and firefighter incident commanders). Most studies were qualitative and focused on four topics: values, ethical decision-making, organizational betrayal, and spirituality.ConclusionPublic safety organizations appear to recognize the experience of moral distress or moral injury among public safety personnel that results from disconnects between personal core values, formal and informal organizational values, vocational duties, and expectations. Further research is needed to better understand moral distress or moral injury specific to public safety personnel and inform training and treatment in support of public safety personnel mental health.

scholarly journals Psychological interventions for posttraumatic stress injuries among public safety personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anees Bahji ◽  
Paula M Di Nota ◽  
Dianne Groll ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton ◽  
Gregory S Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Stress Injuries ◽  
Safety Personnel

Abstract Background Public safety personnel (PSP) are exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE) far more often than the general public, which increases the risk for various posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs). There are many evidence-based psychological interventions for PTSI, but whether the interventions benefit PSP despite the repeated PPTE exposures remains unclear.Objectives The current study assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of psychological interventions of PTSI among PSP.Methods A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis were performed on the effectiveness and acceptability of psychotherapies for PTSIs (i.e., symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder) among PSP. The review adhered to the PRISMA reporting guidelines and used standardized mean differences (Cohen’s d) and rate ratios (RR) to measure pooled effect sizes across studies. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2, and publication bias was evaluated using Egger’s test.Results The analyses included data from eight randomized controlled trials representing 402 PSP (79.4% male, 35.3 years). Psychological interventions included narrative exposure therapy (n = 1), cognitive behavioural therapy (n = 2), eclectic psychotherapy (n = 2), eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (n = 1), supportive counselling (n = 2), and group critical incident stress debriefing (n = 1). The interventions were associated with statistically significant reductions in symptoms associated with PTSD (d=-1.23), anxiety (d=-0.76), and depression (d=-1.10). There were smaller but statistically significant improvements at follow-up for symptoms of PTSD (d=-1.29), anxiety (d=-0.82), and depression (d=-0.46). There were no statistically significant differences in dropout rates (RR = 1.00), suggesting high acceptability across interventions.Conclusions There is preliminary evidence that psychotherapies help treat PTSIs in PSP; however, the shortage of high-quality studies with PSP indicates a need for additional research into treating PTSI among PSP.PROSPERO: CRD42019133534.

Exposures to potentially traumatic events among public safety personnel in Canada.

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Nicholas Carleton ◽  
Tracie O. Afifi ◽  
Tamara Taillieu ◽  
Sarah Turner ◽  
Rachel Krakauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Safety ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Safety Personnel

Efficacy, effectiveness, and quality of resilience-building mobile health apps for military, veteran and public safety personnel populations: a scoping literature review and app evaluation (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Voth ◽  
Shannon Chisholm ◽  
Hannah Sollid ◽  
Chelsea Jones ◽  
Lorraine Smith-MacDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
Scoping Literature Review ◽  
Mhealth Apps ◽  
Safety Personnel

BACKGROUND Globally, military members (MM) and public safety personnel (PSP) are vulnerable to occupational stress injuries (OSIs) due to their job demands. Consequently, when MM and PSP transition out of these professions, they may continue to experience mental health challenges. In response to this, resilience building programs are being developed and implemented with the goal of promoting empowerment and primary stress regulation. The development of mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) as an emergent mental health intervention platform has allowed for targeted, cost effective, and easily accessible treatment when in-person therapy may be limited or unavailable. However, current mHealth app development is not regulated, and often lacks both clear evidence-based research and the input of healthcare professionals. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate the evidence-based quality, efficacy, and effectiveness of resilience building mobile apps targeted towards MM, PSP, and veteran populations via: (1) a scoping literature review of the current evidence-base regarding resilience apps for these populations, and; (2) evaluation of free resilience apps designed for use amongst these populations. METHODS Studies were selected using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, Academic Search Complete, Embase, and Google and was guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The Alberta Rating Index for Apps (ARIA) was utilized to conduct a review of each of the identified apps. Inclusion criteria consisted of apps: 1) free to download in either Google Play or the App Store; 2) updated within the last 3 years; 3) available in English and in Canada; and 4) intended for use by MM and/or PSP. RESULTS Twenty-two apps met the inclusion criteria for evaluation. The resilience strategies offered by the majority of apps included psychoeducation, mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Eleven apps (50%) had been tested with randomized controlled trials, seven (31.8%) were evaluated using other research methods, and five (22.7%) had not been researched. Using the ARIA, apps scores ranged from 37 to 56 out of 72 with higher rated apps demonstrating increased useability and security features. CONCLUSIONS The mHealth apps reviewed are well suited to providing resilience strategies for MMs, PSP and veterans. They offer easy accessibility to evidence-based tools while working to encourage the use of emotional and professional support with safety in mind. While not intended to function as a substitute for professional services, research has demonstrated that mHealth apps have the potential to foster a significant reduction in symptom severity for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other stress-induced concerns. Within clinical practice, apps can be utilized to supplement treatment as well as provide clients with population-specific, confidential tools to increase engagement in the treatment process. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

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