Volunteers and professional rescue workers: Traumatization and adaptation after an avalanche disaster

Helga Arnfridur Haraldsdóttir, Cand Psych; Drifa Gudmundsdóttir, PhD; Eugenia Romano, MSc; Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, BA; Berglind Guðmundsdóttir, MSc; Ask Elklit, MSc

doi:10.5055/jem.2014.0209

Authors

Helga Arnfridur Haraldsdóttir, Cand Psych
Drifa Gudmundsdóttir, PhD
Eugenia Romano, MSc
Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, BA
Berglind Guðmundsdóttir, MSc
Ask Elklit, MSc

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2014.0209

Keywords:

volunteers, professional rescue workers, disaster, post-traumatic stress disorder, adaptation

Abstract

Objective: To compare the degree of traumatization and adaptation in professional and volunteer rescue workers after two snow avalanches.

Method: Questionnaires including demographic questions, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Rescue Workers Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Coping Styles Questionnaire were answered by rescue workers (n = 168).

Results: In several areas, professional rescuers had stronger fears than volunteers, all the same, volunteers were significantly more anxious and met criteria for PTSD caseness more often than professionals.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that voluntary rescue workers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms more often than professionals following demanding rescue missions.

Author Biographies

Helga Arnfridur Haraldsdóttir, Cand Psych

State Diagnostic and Counselling Centre, Kópavogur, Iceland

Drifa Gudmundsdóttir, PhD

Mental Health Services, Landspitali, The National Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Eugenia Romano, MSc

Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, BA

Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Berglind Guðmundsdóttir, MSc

Centre of Public Health Services, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland

Ask Elklit, MSc

Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.; Department of Psychology, University of Ulster, Derry, Northern Ireland

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