Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jennifer Rounds-Bryant

Abstract

Due to repeated exposure to highly stressful work environments, public safety personnel (PSP) are at risk for developing symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. The present study employed a quantitative, randomized-controlled trial (RCT) design to examine the impact of a novel cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) psychoeducational intervention on symptom levels of anxiety and depression. Participants were recruited from police, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency communications personnel. A total of 60 participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention arm or the waitlist comparison arm. General linear mixed models were used to examine the difference in symptom outcomes for those who participated in the intervention compared to those on the waitlist arm at two trend levels: (a) during the Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Mindfulness (CBTm) implementation period and (b) during the post-CBTm period. The results showed statistically significant improvement in symptoms of depression for those who participated in the intervention compared to those in the waitlist control arm during the CBTm implementation period, which was maintained during the follow-up period. There was also improvement in symptoms of anxiety for those who participated in the intervention during the CBTm implementation period, but the improvement in symptoms was not significantly different from the waitlist comparison arm. These preliminary findings serve to inform PSP occupational communities, clinical practice, and mental health policy about the use of a CBT psychoeducational intervention for PSP which may lead to positive social change.

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