The Development of Resiliency: First Responders Coping with Stress

April 30, 2010

Oral Paper Presentation

Abstract

Background and Purpose

A qualitative study investigated the coping effectiveness of twenty first responders by analyzing their perceptions, styles and narratives in coping with severe traumatic events. Previous research in traumatic stress and coping indicated a majority of emergency personnel were successful in coping (Regehr, 2001; Parad & Houston, 1984) but in-depth studies of the subject have been lacking. A partial grounded theory emerged and revealed demonstrated processes toward coping effectiveness. This presentation will be of interest to practitioners and social scientists interested in coping processes by various high stress groups. Previous stress and coping research (Beaton, 1999) has found wide variation from resilient to maladaptive outcomes.

Methods and Study Design

A qualitative research tradition supports claims that narratives told in-depth add to our understanding of the human condition (Mishler, 1986) (Polkinghorne, 1988). This study used intensive interviewing (Charmaz, 2003), and a semi-structured question guide. For data analysis, a constant comparative model (Corbin & Strauss, 1998) was used to collate the participant's descriptions of identified critical incidents, significance of the chosen event, and the importance of others to their coping effectiveness. The researcher next analyzed each participant's interview and identified patterns leading to larger concepts and eventually a grounded theory of stress experiences and reactions. The research data confirmed previous stress and coping theories but offered an in-depth qualitative view to how effective coping develops over time. Qualified male participants resided in a Midwest metropolitan area and had been employed as patrolmen, fire fighters or paramedics for over three years. A purposive sampling strategy found twenty individuals during a six month recruitment period.

Description of main outcome

Participants presented personality traits of resiliency and hardiness. Tenured responders were more philosophical about society at large, viewing tragic events as poor self care and poor decision making. Their insistence on individualism offered challenges to their coping strategies.

Results

The researcher interpreted the results as follows: (1) closer proximity to victims, either psychological or physical, increased coping difficulty; (2) overwhelming emotional reactions were met with individual solutions such as humor, depersonalization, or time off. Unsuccessful coping resulted in a higher use of in house resources such as colleagues or supervisors. (3) Non-organizational resources such as private counseling were rarely used. (4) Training and prior experience aided coping ability. (5) Self care activities like physical fitness, nutrition, socializing, and limiting alcohol consumption improved coping. (6) Use of cognitive strategies such as depersonalization increased with job experience. (6) Trust in colleagues improved coping. (7) Less aggressive approaches to critical incidents increased with job experience.

Implications for Future Research

Further research should investigate whether interventions such as guided imagery, cognitive skills training, wider use of mentoring programs, conflict resolution, and self-improvement opportunities increased coping ability.

Implications for Social Work

Field social workers also require resilience. Education and training for improved self care activities should be emphasized. Reducing negative emotion through adoption of humor, depersonalization, relaxation, and physical fitness may improve coping for social workers as well as first responders.