Impact of Exposure to Critical Incidents in Health and Psychological Well-Being of Emergency Ambulance Personnel

Mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder in firefighters: an integrated analysis from an action research study

“…The most common negative mental health outcomes found in this population include emotional exhaustion (Afonso et al, 2019 ), sleep issues (Fullerton et al, 1992 ; Haslam and Mallon, 2003 ; Harvey et al, 2016 ; Frost et al, 2021 ), diminished attention, alertness, and cognitive performance (Sindhu et al, 2020 ), social dysfunction (Wagner et al, 1998 ), substance abuse (Marcelino et al, 2012 ; Harvey et al, 2016 ; Sindhu et al, 2020 ), anxiety (Sindhu et al, 2020 ; Wagner et al, 2021b ), depression (Harvey et al, 2016 ; Salleh et al, 2020 ; Sindhu et al, 2020 ; Wagner et al, 2021b ), and other psychopathological symptoms (Heinrichs et al, 2005 ; Wagner et al, 2010 , 2021a , b ). Related complications include intrusive memories (Fullerton et al, 1992 ; Clohessy and Ehlers, 1999 ; Vara and Queirós, 2018 ), suicidal ideation (Carpenter et al, 2015 ), suicidal behaviors (Stanley et al, 2015 ), and stress-related issues, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (e.g., Del Ben et al, 2006 ; Carvalho and Maia, 2009b ; Berger et al, 2012 ; Salleh et al, 2020 ; Sindhu et al, 2020 ) and peritraumatic symptoms (Marcelino et al, 2012 ). Biologically associated problems include physical complaints (Fullerton et al, 1992 ; Carvalho and Maia, 2009a ; Marcelino et al, 2012 ), psychosomatic manifestations (Wagner et al, 1998 ), and elevated risk for cardiovascular events, diabetes, or altered immune response (Sindhu et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Related complications include intrusive memories (Fullerton et al, 1992 ; Clohessy and Ehlers, 1999 ; Vara and Queirós, 2018 ), suicidal ideation (Carpenter et al, 2015 ), suicidal behaviors (Stanley et al, 2015 ), and stress-related issues, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (e.g., Del Ben et al, 2006 ; Carvalho and Maia, 2009b ; Berger et al, 2012 ; Salleh et al, 2020 ; Sindhu et al, 2020 ) and peritraumatic symptoms (Marcelino et al, 2012 ). Biologically associated problems include physical complaints (Fullerton et al, 1992 ; Carvalho and Maia, 2009a ; Marcelino et al, 2012 ), psychosomatic manifestations (Wagner et al, 1998 ), and elevated risk for cardiovascular events, diabetes, or altered immune response (Sindhu et al, 2020 ). In this regard, the study conducted by Marmar et al ( 1996 ) emphasized the importance of studying the psychobiological effects of daily operations in addition to large-scale, critical events.…”