Protective service (e.g., police, fire, EMT) professionals face repeated exposure to traumatic events throughout their careers. Although typically linked to pathological outcomes, research has identified sustained positive benefits and posttraumatic growth as consistent posttrauma outcomes in emergency workers. The fact that critical incident experience can result in both adverse and positive outcomes provides organizations with the potential to make choices regarding these outcomes. Increasing the likelihood of posttraumatic growth outcomes requires identifying the mechanisms by which such outcomes are secured. Drawing upon data from studies examining the role of personality, cognitive and organizational factors, this paper reviews evidence for posttraumatic growth in emergency workers. By identifying resources whose availability can be influenced by organizational practices (e.g., selection, training, organizational change), the basis for a primary prevention strategy for managing traumatic stress risk that prepares officers for future involvement in traumatic incidents is discussed.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Psychology
Research Group:	Clinical and health psychology
Research Field:	Health psychology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health)
Objective Field:	Occupational health
UTAS Author:	Paton, D (Professor Douglas Paton)
ID Code:	39262
Year Published:	2005
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2005-08-01
Last Modified:	2006-04-11
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