Citation

Lilly MM, London MJ, Mercer MC. Saf. Health Work 2016; 7(1): 55-62.

Affiliation

Northern Illinois University, Department of Psychology, ​DeKalb, IL, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute)

DOI

10.1016/j.shaw.2015.09.003

PMID

27014492

PMCID

PMC4792921

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aims to: (1) examine rates of obesity and physical health complaints among 911 (emergency call center) telecommunicators; and (2) document the role of emotion dysregulation, psychological inflexibility, duty-related distress and dissociation, and psychopathology in predicting obesity and physical health complaints in this population.

METHODS: The sample consisted of 911 telecommunicators from across the country (N = 758). Participants completed an online survey assessing their mental and physical health functioning.

RESULTS: A total of 82.5% of the sample reported a body mass index that fell within the overweight or obese category and an average of 17 physical health complaints within the past month. Peritraumatic reactions (distress and dissociation), emotion dysregulation, and psychological inflexibility had effects on physical health largely through psychopathology (alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression).

CONCLUSION: Development of adapted prevention and intervention efforts with this population is needed.

Language: en