Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among First Responders: Role of Personality Traits and Category of Responder

Abstract

This study explored the roles of Personality traits and categories of first responders in predicting Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among First responders in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria. A purposive sample of 128 male and female first responders cutting across Fire fighters, Policemen, Federal road safety corps and volunteers participated in the study which utilized a simple questionnaire in assessing the presence of PTSD symptoms and personality traits. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant independent influence of Neuroticism (β=0.19; t=2.06; p˂.05) on PTSD. Furthermore, fire fighters scored significantly higher (M= 32.52) on the symptoms of PTSD than other responders. The implications of these results for policies, provision of adequate paraphernalia to first responders and future research are highlighted and discussed.

Keywords: Posttraumatic stress disorder, First responders, Personality traits