Date of Conferral
10-1-2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Hedy Dexter
Abstract
Given the situations confronted daily by first responders, many experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, often triggered by exposure to traumatic events, can be so debilitating that the first responder can no longer travel, spend time with family, or enjoy hobbies, a self-isolating state of affairs that diminishes quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the relative strength of emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and self-care in predicting resilience among first responders. Emotion regulation theory described how individuals experience, express, and control their emotional reactions when faced with life and death situations, allowing one to suppress feelings of fear and stay calm enough to deal with the situation at hand. Online surveys were administered, via SurveyMonkey, to 115 English-speaking adults, 18 years of age or older, living in the United States, with at least 3 years of service as a first responder. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis found that emotion regulation and self-care did not significantly predict resilience among first responders but, contrary to predictions, did find a negative association between distress tolerance and resilience. The prevalence of suicide, divorce, and substance abuse may risk the loss of first responders responsible to protect the lives of all citizens. Positive social change can be achieved by identifying strategies for handling trauma and building resilience to keep first responders healthy and on the job.
Recommended Citation
Norton, Corey, "The Relative Strength of Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Self-Care in Predicting Resilience Among First Responders" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16443.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16443
