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Teckchandani TA, Neary JP, Andrews KL, Maguire KQ, Jamshidi L, Nisbet J, Shields RE, Afifi TO, Sauer-Zavala S, Lix LM, Krakauer RL, Asmundson GJG, Krätzig GP, Carleton RN. Cardioautonomic lability assessed by heart rate variability changes in Royal Canadian Mounted Police cadets during the cadet training program. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1144783. [PMID: 37829079 PMCID: PMC10565660 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1144783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The current study examined variations in cardioautonomic lability during the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Cadet Training Program (CTP) between cadets starting their training who did or did not screen positive for one or more mental health disorders (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], major depressive disorder [MDD], social anxiety disorder [SAD], generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], panic disorder [PD], alcohol use disorder [AUD]). Methods Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals integrated into Hexoskin garments were used to record ECG and heart rate Over the 26-week CTP. There were 31 heart rate variability (HRV) parameters calculated using Kubios Premium HRV analysis software. Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to perform groupwise comparisons of participant raw values and HRV during the CTP. Results A total of 157 cadets (79% male) were screened for any mental disorder using self-report surveys and then grouped by positive and negative screening. Analyses indicated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in low frequency (LF): High Frequency (HF) variability during CTP, but only for cadets who endorsed clinically significant anxiety symptoms on the GAD-7 at the start of their training. There were no other statistically significant groupwise differences. Conclusion The results indicate the participants have excellent cardiac health overall and suggest potentially important differences between groups, such that cadets who endorsed clinically significant anxiety symptoms on the GAD-7 showed less variability in the LF:HF ratio over the course of the CTP. The relatively lower variability suggests decreased parasympathetic tone in those without clinically significant anxiety symptoms. The results also have important implications for future investigations of cardioautonomic dysfunction and chronic hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis deviations in policing populations with anxiety disorders; specifically, cardioautonomic inflexibility related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In any case, the current results provide an important baseline for future cardiac research with cadets and serving officers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor A. Teckchandani
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de Recherche et de Traitement en Sécurité Publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - J. Patrick Neary
- Faculty of Kinesiology & Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Katie L. Andrews
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de Recherche et de Traitement en Sécurité Publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Kirby Q. Maguire
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de Recherche et de Traitement en Sécurité Publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Laleh Jamshidi
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de Recherche et de Traitement en Sécurité Publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Jolan Nisbet
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de Recherche et de Traitement en Sécurité Publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Robyn E. Shields
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de Recherche et de Traitement en Sécurité Publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Tracie O. Afifi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Lisa M. Lix
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Rachel L. Krakauer
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Gordon J. G. Asmundson
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | | | - R. Nicholas Carleton
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de Recherche et de Traitement en Sécurité Publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
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Shields RE, Teckchandani TA, Asmundson GJG, Nisbet J, Krakauer RL, Andrews KL, Maguire KQ, Jamshidi L, Afifi TO, Lix LM, Brunet A, Sauer-Zavala S, Krätzig GP, Neary JP, Sareen J, Carleton RN. Daily survey participation and positive changes in mental health symptom scores among Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cadets. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1145194. [PMID: 37599763 PMCID: PMC10437217 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers self-report high levels of mental health disorder symptoms, such as alcohol use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Participation in regular mental health monitoring has been associated with improved mental health disorder symptom reporting and may provide an accessible tool to support RCMP mental health. The current study assessed relationships between self-reported mental health disorder symptoms and the completion of daily surveys (i.e., daily mental health disorder symptom monitoring) by RCMP cadets during the Cadet Training Program (CTP). Methods Participants were RCMP cadets (n = 394; 76.1% men) in the Standard Training Program who completed the 26-week CTP and daily self-monitoring surveys, as well as full mental health assessments at pre-training (i.e., starting the CTP) and pre-deployment (i.e., ~2 weeks prior to deployment to the field). Symptoms of alcohol use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder were assessed. Changes in mental health disorder symptom reporting from pre-training to pre-deployment were calculated. Spearman's rank correlations were estimated for number of daily surveys completed and change in mental health disorder symptom scores between pre-training and pre-deployment. Results There were statistically significant inverse relationships between number of daily surveys completed and number of mental health disorder symptoms reported; specifically, cadets who completed more daily surveys during CTP reported fewer symptoms of alcohol use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusion An inverse correlation between number of daily surveys completed and mental health disorder symptom scores indicated that participation in daily mental health monitoring was associated with improvements in self-reported mental health disorder symptoms between pre-training and pre-deployment. Regular self-monitoring of mental health disorder symptoms may help to mitigate mental health challenges among RCMP cadets and officers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn E. Shields
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Taylor A. Teckchandani
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Gordon J. G. Asmundson
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Jolan Nisbet
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Rachel L. Krakauer
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Katie L. Andrews
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Kirby Q. Maguire
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Laleh Jamshidi
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Tracie O. Afifi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Lisa M. Lix
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Alain Brunet
- McGill’s Psychiatry Department and Douglas Institute Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - J. Patrick Neary
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Jitender Sareen
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - R. Nicholas Carleton
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
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Teckchandani T, Krakauer RL, Andrews KL, Neary JP, Nisbet J, Shields RE, Maguire KQ, Jamshidi L, Afifi TO, Lix LM, Sauer-Zavala S, Asmundson GJG, Krätzig GP, Carleton RN. Prophylactic relationship between mental health disorder symptoms and physical activity of Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cadets during the cadet training program. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1145184. [PMID: 37260953 PMCID: PMC10229095 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Royal Canadian Mounted Police report experiencing extremely frequent potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE). In a recent study, approximately half of participating RCMP screened positive for one or more mental disorders, which is approximately five times the diagnostic proportion for the general Canadian population. Increased reporting of mental health symptoms been linked to PPTE exposures. Programs promoting physical activity may be useful interventions to supplement or pair with mental health interventions, providing anxiolytic, antidepressant, and stress-buffering effects. The current study was designed to assess the relationship between physical activity behaviors and reported mental health disorder symptoms of cadets during the Royal Mounted Canadian Police (RCMP) Cadet Training Program (CTP). The current study also examined the relationship between exercise and mental health disorder symptoms of cadets during the CTP. Methods The study included data from 394 cadets (76.1% male). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a series of t-tests were used to assess several differences across sociodemographic groups. Bivariate Spearman's Rank correlations were performed between the average number of active calories burned per day, as recorded by Apple Watches, and changes in self-reported mental health disorder symptoms (i.e., Generalized Anxiety Disorder [GAD], Major Depressive Disorder [MDD], Posttraumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD], Social Anxiety Disorder [SAD]. Alcohol Use Disorders [AUD], Panic Disorder [PD]) from pre-training (starting the CTP) to pre-deployment (completing the CTP) 26 weeks later. Results There were statistically significant correlations between physical activity and self-reported mental health disorder symptom scores during CTP. Cadets who performed more physical activity from pre-training to pre-deployment had statistically significantly greater decreases in symptoms of GAD (ρ = -0.472, p < 0.001), MDD (ρ = -0.307, p < 0.001), PTSD (ρ = -0.343, p < 0.001), and AUD (ρ = -0.085, p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between physical activity and changes in PD symptoms (ρ = -0.037, p > 0.05). There were also no statistically significant relationships between pre-CTP mental health disorder symptom scores and the volume of physical activity performed during CTP. Conclusion There was evidence of a significant relationship between reductions in mental health disorder symptom scores and physical activity during the 26-week CTP. The results highlight the role that exercise can play as an important tool for reducing mental health disorder symptoms, considering there was no relationship between pre-CTP baseline mental health scores and physical activity performed during CTP. Further research is needed to understand differences in physical activity behaviours among cadets and serving RCMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Teckchandani
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de recherche et de traitement en sécurité publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina/Université de Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Rachel L. Krakauer
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Katie L. Andrews
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de recherche et de traitement en sécurité publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina/Université de Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - J. Patrick Neary
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Jolan Nisbet
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de recherche et de traitement en sécurité publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina/Université de Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Robyn E. Shields
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de recherche et de traitement en sécurité publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina/Université de Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Kirby Q. Maguire
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de recherche et de traitement en sécurité publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina/Université de Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Laleh Jamshidi
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de recherche et de traitement en sécurité publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina/Université de Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Tracie O. Afifi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Lisa M. Lix
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Gordon J. G. Asmundson
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | | | - R. Nicholas Carleton
- Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment-Institut Canadien de recherche et de traitement en sécurité publique (CIPSRT-ICRTSP), University of Regina/Université de Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
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Jonathan GK, Dopke CA, Michaels T, Bank A, Martin CR, Adhikari K, Krakauer RL, Ryan C, McBride A, Babington P, Frauenhofer E, Silver J, Capra C, Simon M, Begale M, Mohr DC, Goulding EH. A Smartphone-Based Self-management Intervention for Bipolar Disorder (LiveWell): User-Centered Development Approach. JMIR Ment Health 2021; 8:e20424. [PMID: 33843607 PMCID: PMC8076988 DOI: 10.2196/20424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Pharmacotherapy is the primary treatment for bipolar disorder; however, adjunctive psychotherapy can help individuals use self-management strategies to improve outcomes. Yet access to this therapy is limited. Smartphones and other technologies have the potential to increase access to therapeutic strategies that enhance self-management while simultaneously providing real-time user feedback and provider alerts to augment care. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the user-centered development of LiveWell, a smartphone-based self-management intervention for bipolar disorder, to contribute to and support the ongoing improvement and dissemination of technology-based mental health interventions. METHODS Individuals with bipolar disorder first participated in a field trial of a simple smartphone app for self-monitoring of behavioral targets. To develop a complete technology-based intervention for bipolar disorder, this field trial was followed by design sessions, usability testing, and a pilot study of a smartphone-based self-management intervention for bipolar disorder. Throughout all phases of development, intervention revisions were made based on user feedback. RESULTS The core of the LiveWell intervention consists of a daily self-monitoring tool, the Daily Check-in. This self-monitoring tool underwent multiple revisions during the user-centered development process. Daily Check-in mood and thought rating scales were collapsed into a single wellness rating scale to accommodate user development of personalized scale anchors. These anchors are meant to assist users in identifying early warning signs and symptoms of impending episodes to take action based on personalized plans. When users identified personal anchors for the wellness scale, the anchors most commonly reflected behavioral signs and symptoms (40%), followed by cognitive (25%), mood (15%), physical (10%), and motivational (7%) signs and symptoms. Changes to the Daily Check-in were also made to help users distinguish between getting adequate sleep and keeping a regular routine. At the end of the pilot study, users reported that the Daily Check-in made them more aware of early warning signs and symptoms and how much they were sleeping. Users also reported that they liked personalizing their anchors and plans and felt this process was useful. Users experienced some difficulties with developing, tracking, and achieving target goals. Users also did not consistently follow up with app recommendations to contact providers when Daily Check-in data suggested they needed additional assistance. As a result, the human support roles for the technology were expanded beyond app use support to include support for self-management and clinical care communication. The development of these human support roles was aided by feedback on the technology's usability from the users and the coaches who provided the human support. CONCLUSIONS User input guided the development of intervention content, technology, and coaching support for LiveWell. Users valued the provision of monitoring tools and the ability to personalize plans for staying well, supporting the role of monitoring and personalization as important features of digital mental health technologies. Users also valued human support of the technology in the form of a coach, and user difficulties with aspects of self-management and care-provider communication led to an expansion of the coach's support roles. Obtaining feedback from both users and coaches played an important role in the development of both the LiveWell technology and human support. Attention to all stakeholders involved in the use of mental health technologies is essential for optimizing intervention development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneva K Jonathan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Cynthia A Dopke
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Tania Michaels
- Pediatrics, Loma Linda Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Andrew Bank
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Clair R Martin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Krina Adhikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Chloe Ryan
- Department of Social Work, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alyssa McBride
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Pamela Babington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ella Frauenhofer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jamilah Silver
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Courtney Capra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Melanie Simon
- Department of Psychology, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | | | - David C Mohr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Evan H Goulding
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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Krakauer RL, Stelnicki AM, Carleton RN. Examining Mental Health Knowledge, Stigma, and Service Use Intentions Among Public Safety Personnel. Front Psychol 2020; 11:949. [PMID: 32547443 PMCID: PMC7273931 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., communications officials [e.g., 911 call center operators/dispatchers], correctional service employees, firefighters, paramedics, police officers) experience an elevated risk for mental disorders due to inherent work-related stress. Several programs have been designed to increase mental health knowledge, intending to reduce stigma, and increase mental health service help-seeking (e.g., resilience training); however, extant programs have not demonstrated sustained improvements for PSP mental health. The current study assessed levels of mental health knowledge, stigma, and service use intentions in a sample of Canadian PSP and compared trends to published estimates of mental health symptoms across PSP categories to inform future programming. METHODS PSP completed questionnaires assessing mental health knowledge, stigma against coworkers with mental illness, and professional service use intentions. Correlations among variables and one-way analyses of variance were conducted to assess differences among categories. PSP were categorized into six categories for comparison: communication officials, correctional workers, firefighters, municipal/provincial police, paramedics, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). RESULTS There were significant differences between categories for each variable. Correctional workers reported the most mental health knowledge, least stigma, and highest intentions to use mental health services, and the highest positive screens for mental disorders. Conversely, firefighters reported the lowest mental health knowledge, highest stigma, and lowest willingness to seek professional help, and the lowest prevalence of positive screens for mental disorders. DISCUSSION The results contrast previously hypothesized associations among mental health variables where education, stigma reduction, and help-seeking have been expected to improve mental health. The discrepant results offer potentially critical information for organizational policies to better support PSP. Individuals reporting mental health symptoms may be a more appropriate target audience for intervention strategies, given the possible, crucial role personal experience plays in increasing mental health knowledge, and ultimately, encouraging help-seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Krakauer
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
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Angehrn A, Krakauer RL, Carleton RN. The Impact of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Anxiety Sensitivity on Mental Health Among Public Safety Personnel: When the Uncertain is Unavoidable. Cognit Ther Res 2020; 44:919-930. [PMID: 32848288 PMCID: PMC7434797 DOI: 10.1007/s10608-020-10107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers and officers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, public safety communications officials) are regularly exposed to potentially traumatic events and considerable uncertainty as part of their employment. Canadian PSP screen positively for mental disorders at much higher rates than the general population. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and anxiety sensitivity (AS) are empirically-supported vulnerability factors associated with the development and maintenance of mental disorders. METHODS The present study was designed to assess IU and AS across PSP-a population regularly encountering uncertainty-with and without mental disorders (n = 4304; 33.3% women), and across normative clinical, community, and undergraduate samples. Further, the study examined the relationship between IU and AS and mental disorders among PSP. RESULTS There were significant differences across groups on IU and AS scores (ps < .001). All PSP, with and without a positive screen for a mental disorder, reported lower IU and AS than clinical samples; however, PSP without mental disorders reported lower IU and AS than all other groups (ps < .001). CONCLUSION Increased resilience or the development of coping skills to manage regular exposures to uncertain threat may help explain why PSP reported low levels of IU and AS despite higher prevalence of mental disorders. Implications for PSP training and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne Angehrn
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2 Canada
| | - Rachel L Krakauer
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2 Canada
| | - R Nicholas Carleton
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2 Canada
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Carleton RN, Afifi TO, Taillieu T, Turner S, Mason JE, Ricciardelli R, McCreary DR, Vaughan AD, Anderson GS, Krakauer RL, Donnelly EA, Camp RD, Groll D, Cramm HA, MacPhee RS, Griffiths CT. Assessing the Relative Impact of Diverse Stressors among Public Safety Personnel. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E1234. [PMID: 32075062 PMCID: PMC7068554 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Public Safety Personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers and officers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and public safety communications officials (e.g., call center operators/dispatchers)) are regularly exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs). PSP also experience other occupational stressors, including organizational (e.g., staff shortages, inconsistent leadership styles) and operational elements (e.g., shift work, public scrutiny). The current research quantified occupational stressors across PSP categories and assessed for relationships with PPTEs and mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression). The participants were 4820 PSP (31.7% women) responding to established self-report measures for PPTEs, occupational stressors, and mental disorder symptoms. PPTEs and occupational stressors were associated with mental health disorder symptoms (ps < 0.001). PSP reported substantial difficulties with occupational stressors associated with mental health disorder symptoms, even after accounting for diverse PPTE exposures. PPTEs may be inevitable for PSP and are related to mental health; however, leadership style, organizational engagement, stigma, sleep, and social environment are modifiable variables that appear significantly related to mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Nicholas Carleton
- Department of Psychology, Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada (R.L.K.)
| | - Tracie O. Afifi
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada; (T.O.A.); (T.T.); (S.T.)
| | - Tamara Taillieu
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada; (T.O.A.); (T.T.); (S.T.)
| | - Sarah Turner
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada; (T.O.A.); (T.T.); (S.T.)
| | - Julia E. Mason
- Department of Psychology, Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada (R.L.K.)
| | - Rosemary Ricciardelli
- Department of Sociology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Saint John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada;
| | - Donald R. McCreary
- Donald McCreary Scientific Consulting, Vancouver Island, BC V9K 2R8, Canada;
| | - Adam D. Vaughan
- Office of Applied Research and Graduate Studies, Justice Institute of British Columbia, New Westminster, BC V3L 5T4, Canada; (A.D.V.); (G.S.A.)
| | - Gregory S. Anderson
- Office of Applied Research and Graduate Studies, Justice Institute of British Columbia, New Westminster, BC V3L 5T4, Canada; (A.D.V.); (G.S.A.)
| | - Rachel L. Krakauer
- Department of Psychology, Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada (R.L.K.)
| | | | - Ronald D. Camp
- Hill-Levene Schools of Business, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada;
| | - Dianne Groll
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (D.G.); (H.A.C.)
| | - Heidi A. Cramm
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (D.G.); (H.A.C.)
| | - Renée S. MacPhee
- Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada;
| | - Curt T. Griffiths
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada;
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