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Testing a Psychological Readiness Training Intervention on PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, & Stress in First Responders

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Testing a Psychological Readiness Training Intervention on PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, & Stress in First Responders Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 Testing a Psychological Readiness Training Intervention on PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, & Stress in First Responders Renee Kosor Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Renee Kosor has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Kimberly Farris, Committee Chairperson, Human Services Faculty Dr. Scott Hershberger, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty Dr. Gregory Hickman, University Reviewer, Human Services Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract Testing a Psychological Readiness Training Intervention on PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, & Stress in First Responders by Renee D. Kosor MBA, Liberty University, 2010 BS, Liberty University, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Family Studies and Intervention Strategies Walden University January 2017 Abstract Exposure to traumatic events is rare for the general public but common for first responders. However, there is little proactive emotional health care occurring inside the first responder community. No preventive treatment for depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD exists. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a psychological readiness training intervention on 361 police officers and firefighters in a medium-size Midwestern city. A combined positive psychological capital and cognitive behavior therapy approach was used to frame the study. This study used a pretest, posttest quasi- experimental design. The participants were a convenience sample of 119 volunteers from a population of 361 first responders. The participants were first administered pretests using the DASS-21 and the Civilian PTSD Self-Report Scale which measured depression, anxiety, stress, and posttraumatic stress. They were then exposed to the psychological readiness training (PRT) intervention, after which the same posttests measuring depression, anxiety, stress, and posttraumatic stress were again administered. T-test results indicated a significant decrease in all 4 symptom categories post training intervention. Implications include providing first responders with the tools needed to process traumatic events to maintain mental health throughout their careers. Testing a Psychological Readiness Training Intervention on PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, & Stress in First Responders by Renee D. Kosor MBA, Liberty University, 2010 BS, Liberty University, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Family Studies and Intervention Strategies Walden University January 2017 Dedication This research study is dedicated to the men and women of first response organizations who live to serve others first. Acknowledgments Thank you God for sustaining us throughout this doctoral journey. Without You, none of my work is possible. Chesney, you are my motivation and source of joy. Dr. Farris, you have been my anchor and example of grace under fire. Jonathan, you have braved this journey alongside me and I could not have finished without your encouragement. Each of you shares in my success. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Cognitive Behavior Therapy ..........................................................................................3 Positive Psychological Capital .......................................................................................5 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................8 Purpose .........................................................................................................................11 Psychological Readiness: The Psychological Readiness Training Curriculum ................................................................................................ 11 Overview ............................................................................................................... 11 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 14 Research Question .......................................................................................................15 Research Hypotheses ............................................................................................ 15 Theoretical Foundation of PsyCap...............................................................................16 Theoretical Foundation of CBT ...................................................................................20 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................22 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................23 Scope and Limitations..................................................................................................25 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................27 Social Impact ...............................................................................................................28 Summary ......................................................................................................................30 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................33 i Strategy Used in Literature Search ..............................................................................34 Psychological Impact of Traumatic Events .................................................................35 Depression............................................................................................................. 35 Anxiety .................................................................................................................. 36 Stress 37 Subthreshold and PTSD ........................................................................................ 38 Theoretical Foundations of the Psychological Readiness Training Intervention ........41 Positive Psychological Capital .............................................................................. 42 Cognitive Behavior Therapy ................................................................................. 49 First Responder Need for Psychological Readiness Training......................................55 Intervention ........................................................................................................... 55 Prevention ............................................................................................................. 56 Summary ......................................................................................................................57 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................58 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................58 Research Hypotheses ............................................................................................ 60 Methodology ................................................................................................................60 Target Population .................................................................................................. 60 Sampling and Sampling Procedures ..................................................................... 61 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 62 Survey Instruments ............................................................................................... 64 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................66 ii Assumptions .................................................................................................................66 Measures for Ethical Protection ...................................................................................67 Data Collection and Analysis.......................................................................................68 Threats to Validity .......................................................................................................69 Summary ......................................................................................................................70
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