Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Alice Yick

Abstract

Firefighters are repeatedly exposed to trauma on the job, which could result in the need for mental health services; however, many firefighters experience barriers that impede their access to available resources. Additional research is needed from a qualitative lens on firefighters' help-seeking behaviors to inform the development of treatment interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore firefighters’ perceptions and experiences of seeking professional mental health treatment services. A generic qualitative approach and interpretive lens were used for the investigation. Twelve active U.S. firefighters with a minimum of 2 years on the job participated in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis yielded five themes: (a) trauma exposure, (b) fire service culture, (c) perceptions of available resources, (d) financial burden, and (e) the role of interpersonal relationships in seeking help. Participants reported various barriers to seeking help: their perceptions of support, stigma, access to treatment, availability of services, and financial costs. Additionally, participants had mixed views on employee assistance programs, specifically in regard to confidentiality protections and availability of competent clinicians. Understanding the perceptions and experiences of firefighters related to seeking mental health treatment may empower firefighters by giving them a platform to have their voices heard, inform clinicians on how to tailor treatment, and alert policy makers about the need to make resources available to this population. Positive social change implications include improved access to resources and decreased stigma.

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

 
COinS