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Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms And Alcohol-Related Outcomes Among Municipal Firefighters: Exploring The Mediational Role Of Drinking Motives And Maladaptive Coping Strategies, Anabel Cardiel

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Due to the frequent exposure to traumatic events, the firefighting profession places firefighters at high risk for PTSD symptoms (Berger et al., 2011). Consequently, those experiencing PTSD symptoms are inclined to consume alcohol to cope with related symptoms or to alleviate psychological distress. Two theories that guided this study are the Stress and Coping Theory (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), and the Self-Medication Hypothesis (Khantzian, 1985). The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between PTSD symptoms and alcohol-related outcomes including At-Risk Drinking, Alcohol-Related Outcomes and Alcohol Consumption, in a population of El Paso firefighters (n = 740). …

A Comparison Of The Basics Harm Reduction Approach And Personalized Normative Feedback For Reducing Alcohol-Related Behaviors Among Municipal Firefighters, Stormy Miracle Monks

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Firefighting is a hazardous occupation due to the nature of firefighting duties including frequent exposure to traumatic events. Firefighters have been shown to cope with stress by drinking alcohol (Bacharach, Bamberger, & Doveh, 2008). Indeed, studies of firefighters have found that roughly 30% report being problem drinkers (Boxer & Wild, 1993) and 47% of firefighters have a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence (North, Tivis, McMillen, Pfefferbaum, Spitznagel et al., 2002). Despite high rates of alcohol use, most firefighters receive inadequate training regarding alcohol and other risky behaviors. Furthermore, fire departments rarely act proactively regarding problems like alcohol consumption.

The …