Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Sean Hogan

Abstract

Research indicates that first responders tend to experience high levels of anxiety and depression due to unique stressors associated with first responder employment. This increased risk level for mental health issues among first responders can be exacerbated by the addition of psychosocial stressors. The influence of interpersonal or intrapersonal factors, such as sexual minority identity, on the mental health issues experienced by first responders has remained relatively unexplored. The purpose of this research study was to explore the relationship between type of first responder, sexual identity, anxiety, and depression via a framework rooted in minority stress theory. Data were gathered from 202 research participants through a cross-sectional correlational survey design; the data were then analyzed via two-way ANOVA to assess the relationship between the key variables. A statistically significant relationship was observed between type of first responder, sexual minority identity, and anxiety. A statistically significant relationship was also found between type of first responder, sexual minority identity, and depression. In both models, sexual minority identity independently influenced the levels of anxiety and depression experienced by first responders. These findings could promote social change for first responders by providing scholar-practitioners with critical insight into the importance of preventing, identifying, and treating mental health issues within this unique population; the findings could also serve as a catalyst for the development of theories, interventions, and policies that specifically target this population.

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