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Examining the relationship between religious volunteering and mental health screeners among firefighters
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Examining the relationship between religious volunteering and mental health screeners among firefighters

Joseph R. Herzog, Dana Dillard, Erin King, Rob Rotunda, Kellie O'Dare and John Dilks
Journal of religion & spirituality in social work: social thought, pp.1-8
10/25/2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2024.2416579
Web of Science ID: WOS:001340771200001

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Abstract

Firefighters experience a high level of traumatic incidents in their work. This high level of exposure puts them at risk for trauma-related symptoms. These trauma symptoms include PTSD, suicide risk, alcohol misuse, and depression, and anxiety. Furthermore, repeated exposure has been found to lead to desensitization, flashbacks, irritability, and PTSD. Exposure to natural disasters may also impact ecospirituality. A survey was designed to include the Life Events Checklist, PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, and the SBQ-R. This survey was administered to firefighters from Northwest Florida in the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. Participants were found to have higher levels of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal risk than the general population. Participants were further asked about their volunteering for religious organization activity. A significant relationship was found between volunteering for religious organization and mental health screeners. Religious volunteering predicted lower levels of PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety. The effect size was small.

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