TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The role of first responders in mitigating the effects of earthquakes is vital. Unlike other disasters, earthquakes are not single events, and exposure to dangerous and trauma-inducing events may be ongoing. Understanding how first responders cope in the face of such conditions is important, for both their own well-being as well as the general public whom they serve. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach Using questionnaires, this study measured posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological resilience, and reactive coping styles in a sample of first responders active during the 2011 Canterbury earthquake in New Zealand.Findings The prevalence of PTSD was similar to that reported in the literature. Psychological resilience, but not disaster exposure, was found to be associated with PTSD. Maladaptive coping strategies best predicted resiliency, but there were significant gender differences.Originality/value These findings can inform those managing first responder disaster workers through the consideration of preventive and treatment interventions.
VL  - 26
IS  - 3
SN  - 0965-3562
DO  - 10.1108/DPM-06-2016-0112
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-06-2016-0112
AU  - Shepherd Daniel
AU  - McBride David
AU  - Lovelock Kirsten
PY  - 2017
Y1  - 2017/01/01
TI  - First responder well-being following the 2011 Canterbury earthquake
T2  - Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 286
EP  - 297
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -