The relationship between coping strategies of extreme job holders and post-traumatic stress disorders

Abstract

Extreme workers are constantly exposed to negative impact in the course of their work. Over time, excessive stress and traumatic events can cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result, employees are unable to fully function as specialists, which manifests in the destructive coping strategies. The aim of the study involves determining the symptoms of PTSD and related coping strategies of extreme workers. Methods. The study is based on the use of standardized PTSD diagnostic tests (Screen PC-PTSD, IES-R, SDS) and coping strategies of employees (CSI). Data processing was carried out using quantitative analysis and statistical methods: descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis. Results. The study showed that the symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, excitability, high depression, and destructive coping strategies is observed in emergency specialists with PTSD symptoms. It was established that specialists with PTSD symptoms have pronounced “avoidance” coping (p=0.000, β=0.082), while “problem solving” was dominant coping of specialists with no PTSD (p=0.000, β=-0.045). They have pronounced depression (p=0.000, β=0.25), as well as such symptoms as avoidance (p=0.000, β=0.27), excitability (p=0.000, β=0.33) and intrusion (p =0.000, β=0.31). Conclusions. The relationship between the PTSD symptoms of emergency workers and their coping strategies was empirically found. The avoidance strategy is the most typical for specialists with PTSD symptoms. Prospects. The obtained results can be used in the prevention of PTSD in emergency workers. They can also be used for building a model of comprehensive overcoming of the consequences of PTSD by these specialists.