Abstract

First responders comprise an underserved and under-researched population, despite consensus that their work involves exposure to potentially traumatic events. Inconsistent definitions of “first responder” and unclear prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) limit efforts to assess and promote resilience. This study examined the relationships between grit, resilience, perceived organizational support, and trauma symptoms in a sample of 234 first responders (69% firefighters, 29% lifeguards) employed by a large West Coast fire department. Measures included a demographics questionnaire, the Professional Exposure to Traumatic Events (PETE), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S), and the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support. Analyses involved descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), correlations, and t-tests or ANOVAs comparing subgroups by job title and demographics. Respondents reported an average exposure to 12 of 14 types of PTE, and 100% endorsed exposure to at least five. The PETE showed strong internal consistency (α = .89). Using a PCL-5 cutoff of 33, 20% of the total sample, 7% of lifeguards, and 28% of firefighters met criteria for possible PTSD. For the overall sample, significant positive correlations appeared between exposure to trauma and trauma symptoms, grit and resilience, grit and organizational support, and resilience and organizational support. Significant negative correlations appeared between trauma symptoms and grit, trauma symptoms and resilience, and trauma symptoms and perceived organizational support. Among firefighters, the strongest inverse relationships appeared between posttraumatic stress symptoms and both resilience (rs = -.444, p < .01) and perceived organizational support (rs = -.414, p < .01). For lifeguards, PCL-5 scores showed the strongest positive correlation to the PETE (rs = .536, p < .001). Lifeguards reported significantly higher levels of perceived organizational support than firefighters. Overall, findings confirm a high prevalence of exposure to potentially traumatic events and elevated PTSD risk. The PETE effectively evaluates the prevalence of professional exposure to potentially traumatic events. Grit and resilience both appear to offer protective roles against PTSD. The potential power of perceived organizational support in mitigating PTSS following professional exposure to PTE offers the most important direction for further research.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

First responders—Mental health; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Resilience (Personality trait)

Date of Award

2025

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Psychology

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Melissa Wasserman

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