SYMPTOMS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) IN FIREFIGHTERS: THE ROLE OF RESILIENCE AND LOCUS OF CONTROL
Artemisi SHEHU DONO, Ketrina SKENDERAJ
Abstract
Introduction: The fire-fighting service is a high-risk profession that exposes individuals to frequent traumatic events, which can adversely affect mental health and contribute to the development of PTSD. Research on the psychological impact of trauma among firefighters is limited. This study aims to examine the role of resilience and locus of control as predictors of PTSD symptoms among 86 professional firefighters in Tirana. The study seeks to explore the relationship between resilience, workplace locus of control, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Albanian firefighters.
Methodology: This study aims to determine whether resilience and locus of control in the workplace can predict the severity of PTSD symptoms within a high-risk professional group, such as firefighters. The study was conducted as quantitative research. Participants in the study were 86 professional firefighters. The applied instruments were the Resilience Scale (RS-14) (Wagnild & Young, 1993), the Work Locus of Control Scale (WLCS) (Spector, 1988), and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) (Weathers, Litz, Herman, Huska & Keane, 1993). A multiple regression analysis using MANOVA was performed to examine the relationships between resilience, locus of control, and PTSD symptoms, identifying the influence of these factors on the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in firefighters.
Results: The findings revealed that resilience was a significant negative predictor of PTSD symptoms, indicating that firefighters with higher resilience levels reported fewer PTSD symptoms. In contrast, an external locus of control at work positively predicted PTSD symptoms, meaning that firefighters who believed they had less control over their work environment experienced higher trauma-related stress.
Recommendations: The findings highlight the importance of programs and interventions aimed at building resilience and reducing external control beliefs in the workplace to better support the mental health of firefighters. The development of targeted interventions focusing on enhancing resilience and adjusting perceptions of locus of control could serve as a protective factor against PTSD in high-risk professions.
Pages: 19 - 32