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Brief Report
Duty-related trauma exposure in 911 telecommunicators: Considering the risk for posttraumatic stress
Article first published online: 29 MAR 2012
DOI: 10.1002/jts.21687
Copyright © 2012 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
1573-6598/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=9f8273d5a6117c7b9272d2b6a5d5360499f82807 "Journal of Traumatic Stress")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Pierce, H. and Lilly, M. M. (2012), Duty-related trauma exposure in 911 telecommunicators: Considering the risk for posttraumatic stress. J. Traum. Stress, 25: 211–215. doi: 10.1002/jts.21687
Publication History
- Issue published online: 20 APR 2012
- Article first published online: 29 MAR 2012
- Abstract
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Abstract
Peritraumatic distress may increase the risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in police officers. Much less is known about emotional reactions and PTSD symptomatology in 911 telecommunicators. The current study assessed duty-related exposure to potentially traumatic calls, peritraumatic distress, and PTSD symptomatology in a cross-sectional, convenience sample of 171 telecommunicators. Results showed that telecommunicators reported high levels of peritraumatic distress and a moderate, positive relationship was found between peritraumatic distress and PTSD symptom severity (r = .34). The results suggest that 911 telecommunicators are exposed to duty-related trauma that may lead to the development of PTSD, and that direct, physical exposure to trauma may not be necessary to increase risk for PTSD in this population.
