Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Mindfulness Facets in Relation to Suicide Risk Among Firefighters

Overview

Journal J Clin Psychol

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Psychology

Date 2019 Jan 24

PMID 30672591

Citations 10

Authors

Ian H Stanley

Joseph W Boffa

Jana K Tran

Norman Brad Schmidt

Thomas E Joiner

Anka A Vujanovic

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are associated with increased suicide risk among firefighters. Few studies have examined modifiable factors, such as mindfulness facets, that might attenuate this association. This study examined the interactive effects of PTSD symptoms and mindfulness facets in relation to suicide risk among firefighters.

Method: Overall, 831 career firefighters were assessed for PTSD symptoms, mindfulness facets, and suicide risk via the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, respectively.

Results: Greater PTSD symptoms were associated with more severe suicide risk; however, higher levels of two specific mindfulness facets, acting with awareness and nonjudging of inner experience, attenuated this association. By contrast, higher levels of the observing facet of mindfulness potentiated the association between PTSD symptoms and suicide risk.

Conclusions: Suicide prevention initiatives among firefighters, particularly those experiencing trauma-related sequelae, might benefit from the inclusion of mindfulness-based practices alongside frontline empirically-supported approaches.

Citing Articles

Firefighter Health: A Narrative Review of Occupational Threats and Countermeasures.

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The association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and suicidal ideations among Palestinians: The mediating role of spirituality, social support and mindfulness.

Mahamid F, Bdier D, Jabr S, Hinnawi Z Glob Ment Health (Camb). 2023; 10:e48.

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Mindfulness and COVID-19-Related Stress: Staying Present During Uncertain Times.

Polizzi C, Sleight F, Aksen D, McDonald C, Jay Lynn S Mindfulness (N Y). 2023; 14(5):1135-1147.

PMID: 37304660 PMC: 10150345. DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02132-5.

Using machine learning algorithm to predict the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder among firefighters in Changsha.

Deng A, Yang Y, Li Y, Huang M, Li L, Lu Y Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2023; 48(1):84-91.

PMID: 36935181 PMC: 10930560. DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2023.220067.

PTSD Symptom Severity, Pain Intensity, and Pain-Related Disability Among Trauma-Exposed Firefighters: the Moderating Role of Mindfulness.

Lebeaut A, Zegel M, Healy N, Rogers A, Buser S, Vujanovic A Mindfulness (N Y). 2022; 13(3):786-798.

PMID: 36404797 PMC: 9674210. DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01836-4.

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