| The present study investigated the occurrence of secondary traumatization among wives of firefighters with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Two groups of participants (N=134) were used in this investigation: firefighters (n=67), and their wives ( n=67). Participants completed an anonymous self-report survey with demographic questions and standardized psychological measures. Psychological distress and PTSD levels in firefighters were measured using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R; Weiss & Marmar, 1997) and Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS; Foa, Cashman, Jaycox & Perry, 1997). Psychological distress, secondary trauma, anxiety and depression levels in firefighter wives were measured using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R; Weiss & Marmar, 1997), Modified Secondary Trauma Scale (STS; Motta, Hafeez, Sciancalepore, & Diaz, 2001), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; Beck, Epstein, Brown, & Steer, 1988), and Beck Depression Inventory: Second Edition (BDI-2; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996).;Results indicated that 21% of firefighter wives met the criteria for secondary trauma and 25% showed a significant level of psychological distress. PTSD was diagnosed in 18% of firefighters in this sample, and 16% reported sub-threshold levels of PTSD. Additionally, a significant level of psychological distress was found in 19% of firefighters in this sample. Wives of firefighters who reported higher levels of psychological distress and PTSD-related symptomatology, did not score significantly higher on measures of secondary trauma and psychological distress, than wives of firefighters who report lower levels of psychological distress and PTSD-related symptomatology. Wives of firefighters involved in 9/11 did not score higher on measures of psychological distress and secondary trauma, compared to wives of firefighters who were not involved in 9/11. Statistically significant correlations were found between firefighter wives' scores on the STS and their scores on the BDI, BAI, and IES-R.;There was a significant positive correlation between the severity of symptoms of PTSD in firefighters as measured by the PDS, and psychological distress in firefighters, as measured by the IES-R. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing firefighters who were involved in 9/11 symptom severity score's and level of impairment on the PDS to firefighters who were not involved in 9/11.;The present study provides empirical support for the presence of secondary trauma among the wives and significant others of firefighters. Results of this study provide additional information for the identification and treatment of firefighters with PTSD and their secondarily affected significant others. |
