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The relationship between quality of life and posttraumatic stress disorder or major depression for firefighters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

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Abstract

Objective

The work of firefighters involves the risk of exposure to the harmful effects of toxic substances as well as the possibility of enormous emotional shock from disasters, which may result in psychiatric impairments and a lower quality of life. Therefore, we examined quality of life, prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression, and the related risk factors for firefighters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Methods

This is a two-stage survey study. During the first stage, we used the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Disaster-Related Psychological Screening Test (DRPST) to assess quality of life, probable PTSD, probable major depression, and the related risk factors for 410 firefighters. During the second stage, psychiatrists categorized these probable cases according to self-reported questionnaires against DSM-IV into PTSD or major depression group, subclinical group, and health group. All the data were analyzed with SPSS 10.0 Chinese version.

Results

The estimated current prevalence rates for major depression and PTSD were 5.4% (22/410) and 10.5% (43/410), respectively. The firefighters with estimated PTSD or major depression scored significantly lower on quality of life measures than subclinical PTSD/major depression and mentally healthy groups, which was evident in eight concepts and two domains of the SF-36. The major predictors of poor quality of life and PTSD/major depression were mental status, psychosocial stressors, or perceived physical condition.

Conclusion

Firefighters have a higher estimated rate of PTSD, and the risk factors that affect quality of life and PTSD/major depression should encourage intervention from mental health professionals.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by grants from the Bureau of Health, Kaohsiung City and from the National Science Council, Republic of China (No. NSC 94-2625-Z-280-001). The authors also appreciated the help from the Fire Bureau, Kaohsiung City.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Psychiatry, Kai-Suan Psychiatric Hospital, 130 Kai-Suan 2nd Rd, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Yong-Shing Chen, Ming-Chao Chen, Frank Huang-Chih Chou, Pei-Chun Chen, Kuan-Yi Tsai & Shin-Shin Chao

  2. Department of Heath Care Administration, Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Frank Huang-Chih Chou

  3. Department of Nursing, Kai-Suan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Feng-Ching Sun

Authors
  1. Yong-Shing Chen
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  2. Ming-Chao Chen
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  3. Frank Huang-Chih Chou
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  4. Feng-Ching Sun
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  5. Pei-Chun Chen
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  6. Kuan-Yi Tsai
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  7. Shin-Shin Chao
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Correspondence to Frank Huang-Chih Chou.

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Chen, YS., Chen, MC., Chou, F.HC. et al. The relationship between quality of life and posttraumatic stress disorder or major depression for firefighters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Qual Life Res 16, 1289–1297 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9248-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9248-7

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