Citation

Romano E, Elklit A. J. Emerg. Manag. 2017; 15(5): 311-323.

Affiliation

National Center of Psychotraumatology, Institute of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Weston Medical Publishing)

DOI

10.5055/jem.2017.0339

PMID

29165782

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study investigates which factors had the biggest impact on developing distress in rescue workers who were involved in a firework factory explosion.

METHOD: Four hundred sixty-five rescuers were assessed using items investigating demographic factors, organizational variables, social support, personality variables, and distress symptoms. Correlation and regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Our final model provided 70 percent of the predictive model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity. Waiting time, lack of rest, problems at work, and perceived level of danger seemed to have the highest impact on protective factors.

DISCUSSION: In addition to perceived life danger and personality, small organizational factors seem to play an important role in the prediction of PTSD. The importance of such factors needs further investigation in future research, contributing to a better organization in the field of disaster management.

Language: en