Mediating effect of social support on post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health of firefighters

  Objective  To explore the relationship among post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), mental health and social support among firefighters, so as to provide a theoretical basis for improving their mental health level.

  Methods  Totally 159 firefighters in a certain detachment in Lanzhou were investigated by using post-traumatic stress disorder scale, SCL-90 and social support scale.

  Results  The average score of SCL-90 scale of 159 firefighters was (118.52 ± 35.07), the average score of PTSD Scale was (21.62 ± 7.56), and the average score of social support scale was (26.46 ± 6.03). PTSD was positively correlated with SCL-90 score (r = 0.88, P < 0.01), social support was negatively correlated with SCL-90 score (r = - 0.39, P < 0.01), and social support was negatively correlated with PTSD score(r = - 0.32, P < 0.01). The mediating effect of social support between PTSD and SCL-90 was statistically significant(P < 0.05), and the mediating effect value was 0.042, accounting for 8.4% of the total effect.

  Conclusion  For firefighters who often experience sudden negative events, we can improve their mental health level by improving their social support and reducing their anxiety, depression and fear caused by negative events.