Abstract
The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the perceived benefits of licensed counseling through the perspective of first responders. OTs can use this study to guide their practice when working with first responders. OT can assist first responders with adapting their exercise routine in the event of physical injury and assist them with returning to work after a mental health crisis.
Primary Author and Speaker: Matthew Wittwer
Additional Authors and Speakers: Rawan Alheresh
Contributing Authors: Bria Mitchell-Gillespie, Megan Griffin, and Rawan Alheresh
Responding to traumatic incidents can cause negative effects on first responders mental and physical health (Chen et al., 2007; Katsavouni, Bebetsos, Malliou, & Beneka, 2016). In 2018, Arizona passed the Officer Craig Tiger Act requiring state funded departments and agencies to provide sworn firefighters and police officers with 36 licensed counseling visits following a traumatic event. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the perceived benefits of the Officer Craig Tiger Act through the perspective of first responders. Additionally, this study seeks to highlight a new area of practice for occupational therapy. A survey was completed by 65 first responders. The survey included the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and a questioner to gather demographic, customer satisfaction, and qualitative information. Twenty-two (33.8%) participants reported taking time off or having an alternative work assignment. Counselor satisfaction was high, with only 1 respondent reporting being unsatisfied. Scores on the QOLS were negatively correlated with scores on both the PCL-5 and the PSS. The most frequently selected coping skill was ‘exercise.’ Increased access to counseling was a major qualitative theme. Stress and anxiety management were the top things counseling assisted with. Learning a variety of coping skills beyond exercise was also reported. This study demonstrates the benefits of the licensed counseling through the perspective of the first responder. Occupational therapists can use this study to further guide their practice when working with first responders. As exercise was reported as a main coping skill used by participants, occupational therapy can assist first responders with adapting their exercise routine in the event of physical injury. Additionally, occupational therapy can be used in adjunction with counseling to assist first responders with returning to work following a mental health crisis, through the use of activity analysis and environmental adaptation.
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Katsavouni, F., Bebetsos, E., Malliou, P., & Beneka, A. (2016). The relationship between burnout, PTSD symptoms and injuries in firefighters. Occupational Medicine, 66(1), 32-37. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqv144
Officer Craig Tiger Act, Arizona Revised Statute § 38-673 (2018)
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