Relationship between ways of coping and posttraumatic stress symptoms in firefighters compared to the general population in South Korea

Abstract

Professional firefighters frequently encounter stressful events in the line of duty, which may lead to the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). However, it remains unclear how PTSS relates to ways of coping in this population. We evaluated the differences in ways of coping between firefighters and the general population, and we determined the relationship between ways of coping and PTSS in both groups. Professional firefighters (N = 212) and adults from the general population (N = 500) completed measures of potentially traumatic events (PTEs), the Ways of Coping Checklist, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Participants who reported experiencing at least one PTE also completed the Impact of Events Scale-Revised to assess PTSS severity. Firefighters showed greater use of problem-focused coping, seeking social support, and wishful thinking than did the general population. In the firefighters group only, there were negative correlations between PTSS and problem-focused coping and seeking social support; however, the opposite was found in the general population. This study identified the unique relationship between ways of coping and PTSS in professional firefighters. Our findings highlighted that active coping, including problem-focused and seeking social support, might play a key role in alleviating firefighters’ post-traumatic stress reactions.