Keywords
resilience
earthquake
rescue
Abstract
Background:few studies focus on the role training has on rescue workers who are active as volunteers or actual workers in emergency situations such as an earthquake. In October 2016, a strong earthquake hit Central Italy and in particular the province of Macerata in the Marche region. Lots of rescuers were called to deal with the emergency. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine their preparation, studying resilience and coping strategies, as these qualities can protect against complications brought on by traumatic situations (post traumatic stress disorder).
Study design: an observational study of 70 rescue workers who were active in the area affected by the disaster within the province of Macerata was carried out.
Methods: the questionnaire proposed by the Coping Inventory for Stressful situations (CISS) was used, while individual levels of resilience were measured with the Resilience Scale. Both methods were employed in two separate interviews conducted before and after their intervention in the disaster area.Results: the sample showed medium to high levels of coping (91.6%) and resilience (89.6%) were present in both interviews. Some areas relative to coping mechanisms, such as social avoidance and distraction are preferred by women, while men prefer avoidance and task-oriented activity. Results for resilience show a slight difference for perseverance in men.
Conclusions: the ability to use mechanisms of self-preservation like coping and resilience helps rescue workers to better respond in emergency situations. Surely one of the most appropriate ways to reach this result is provided by their preparation.
References
WHO/HPR/HEP/98.1. Health Promotion Glossary. 1998. http://www.who.int/healthpromotion/about/HPR%20Glossary%201998.pdf
Siracusa M, Grappasonni I, Petrelli F. The pharmaceutical care and the rejected constitutional reform: what might have been and what is. Acta Biomed. 2017 Oct 23;88(3):352-359. doi: 10.23750/abm.v88i3.6376.
Signorelli C, Odone A, Gozzini A, Petrelli F, Tirani M, Zangrandi A, Zoni R, Florindo N. The missed Constitutional Reform and its possible impact on the sustainability of the Italian National Health Service. Acta Biomed. 2017 Apr 28;88(1):91-94. doi: 10.23750/abm.v88i1.6408
Petrelli F, Contratti CM, Tanzi E, Grappasonni I. Vaccine hesitancy, a public health problem. Ann Ig. 2018 Mar-Apr;30(2):86-103. doi: 10.7416/ai.2018.2200
American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic Criteria from DSMIV-TR. Washington, DC
Pearlman LA, Mac Ian PS. Vicarious traumatization: An empirical study of the effects of trauma work on trauma therapists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 1995; 26: 558-65
Noda Y, Asano K, Shimizu E, Hirano Y. Assessing Subgroup Differences in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Rescue Workers in Japan With the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2018 Jul 27:1-10. doi:10.1017/dmp.2018.62
Kim Y, Patel N, Diehl G, Richard P. The Association Between Service Members' Participation in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief and Mental Health Symptoms and Treatments. Mil Med. 2017 Sep;182(9):e1849-e55. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-17-00023
Grappasonni I, Petrelli F, Traini E, Grifantini G, Mari M, Signorelli C. Psychological symptoms and quality of life among the population of L’Aquila’s “new towns” after the 2009 earthquake. Epidem Biostat Pub Health. 2017; 14(2): e11690-1-13. doi: 10.2427/11690
Priebe S, Grappasonni I, Mari M, Dewey M, Petrelli F, Costa A. Posttraumatic stress disorder six months after an earthquake: findings from a community sample in a rural region in Italy. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2009 May;44(5):393-7. doi: 10.1007/s00127-008-0441-y
Leffler CT, Dembert M. Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms among U.S. Navy Divers Recovering TWA Flight 800. J Nerv Ment Dis 1998; 186: 574-77
Martarelli D, Cocchioni M, Scuri S, Spataro A, Pompei P. Cold exposure increases exercise-induced oxidative stress. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2011 Jun;51(2):299-304
Kamiyama K, Yamami N, Sato K, Aoyagi M, Kyoya M, Mizuno E, Uemura M, Kawamoto Y, Okuda M, Togawa S, Shibayama M, Hosaka T, Mano Y. Effetcs of a structured stress management program on psychological and physiological indicators among marine hazard rescues. J Occup Health 2004; 46: 497-99
Grappasonni I, Petrelli F, Amenta F. Deaths on board ships assisted by the Centro Internazionale Radio Medico in the last 25 years. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2012 Jul;10(4):186-91. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2012.06.006
Giannantonio M, Cusano M. Lo stress post-traumatico nel personale di soccorso. IV° Forum Internazionale sull'EBN (Evidence Based Nursing). L'assistenza infermieristica basata sull'evidenza. Promuovere l'eccellenza nelle scienze infermieristiche. 2003
Tsuno K, Oshima K, Kubota K, Kawakami N. Personal resilience and post-traumatic stress symptoms of local government employees: six months after the 2011 magnitude 9.0 East Japan Earthquake. Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2014; 56(6):245-58. doi: 10.1539/sangyoeisei.B14006
Yasien S, Abdul Nasir J, Shaheen T. Relationship between psychological distress and resilience in rescue workers. Saudi Med J. 2016 Jul;37(7):778-82. doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.7.15004
Pedersen MJ, Gjerland A, Rund BR, Ekeberg Ø, Skogstad L. Emergency Preparedness and Role Clarity among Rescue Workers during the Terror Attacks in Norway July 22, 2011. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 9;11(6):e0156536. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156536
Vippiani M. Il disturbo post traumatico da stress (PTSD): rischio per vittime e soccorritori. 112 Emergencies pp 20-24
Perry RW, Lindell MK. Preparedness for emergency response: guidelines for the emergency planning process. Disasters. 2003 Dec; 27(4):336-50
Schulberg HC, Block MR, Madonia MJ, Scott CP, Rodriguez E, Imber SD, Perel J, Lave J, Houck PR, Coulehan JL. Treating major depression in primary care practice. Eight-month clinical outcomes. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1996 Oct;53(10):913-9
Grappasonni I, Petrelli F, Scuri S, Mahdi SS, Sibilio F, Amenta F. Knowledge and Attitudes on Food Hygiene among Food Services Staff on Board Ships. Ann Ig. 2018 Mar-Apr;30(2):162-172. doi: 10.7416/ai.2018.2207
Grappasonni I, Petrelli F, Klusoňová H, Kračmarová L. Level of understanding of medical terms among italian students. Ceska Slov Farm. Winter 2016;65(6):216-220
Spacilova L, Klusonova H, Petrelli F, Signorelli C, Visnovsky P, Grappasonni I. Substance use and knowledge among Italian high school students. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2009 Jun;153(2):163-8
Pedersen MJ, Gjerland A, Rund BR, Ekeberg Ø, Skogstad L. Emergency Preparedness and Role Clarity among Rescue Workers during the Terror Attacks in Norway July 22, 2011. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 9; 11(6):e0156536. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0156536
Berger W, Coutinho ES, Figueira I, Marques-Portella C, Luz MP, Neylan TC, Marmar CR, Mendlowicz MV. Rescuers at risk: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of the worldwide current prevalence and correlates of PTSD in rescue workers. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2012 Jun;47(6):1001-11. doi: 10.1007/s00127-011-0408-2
Sirigatti S, Stefanile C. Coping Inventory for Stressful situation (CISS). Italian standardization. Giunti O.S. 2009
https://www.futureacademy.org.uk/files/menu_items/other/6_icc_2899_4134_fullText_0_5693.pdf
Mignini F, Sabbatini M, Pascucci C, Petrelli F, Grappasonni I, Vanacore N. Pharmaco-epidemiological description of the population of the Marche Region (central Italy) treated with the antipsychotic drug olanzapine. Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2013;49(1):42-9. doi: DOI: 10.4415/ANN_13_01_08
Cioffi P, Laudadio L, Nuzzo A, Belfiglio M, Petrelli F, Grappasonni I. Gemcitabine-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a case report. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2012 Jun;18(2):299-302. doi: 10.1177/1078155211424628
Grappasonni I, Marconi D, Mazzucchi F, Petrelli F, Scuri S, Amenta F. Survey on food hygiene knowledge on board ships. Int Marit Health. 2013;64(3):160-7
Personal Preparedness for Older Adults and Their Caregivers. Disaster planning tips for older adults and their families. CDC website. http://www.cdc.gov/aging/emergency/preparedness.htm. Last updated March 17, 2015. Accessed June 21, 2016
Grappasonni I, Scuri S, Tanzi E, Kracmarova L, Petrelli F. The economic crisis and lifestyle changes: a survey on frequency of use of medications and of preventive and specialistic medical care, in the Marche Region (Italy). Acta Biomed. 2018 Mar 27;89(1):87-92. doi: 10.23750/abm.v89i1.7068
Scuri S, Tesauro M, Petrelli F, Peroni A, Kracmarova L, Grappasonni I. Implications of modified food choices and food-related lifestyles following the economic crisis in the Marche Region of Italy. Ann Ig. 2018 Mar-Apr;30(2):173-179. doi: 10.7416/ai.2018.2208
Wakui T, Agree EM, Saito T, Kai I. Disaster Preparedness Among Older Japanese Adults With Long-Term Care Needs and Their Family Caregivers. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2017 Feb;11(1):31-38. doi:10.1017/dmp.2016.53
Siracusa M, Petrelli F. Trade of food supplement: food or drug supplement?. Recenti Prog Med. 2016 Sep;107(9):465-471. doi: 10.1701/2354.25224
Petrelli F, Grappasonni I, Peroni A, Kracmarova L, Scuri S. Survey about the potential effects of economic downturn on alcohol consumption, smoking and quality of life in a sample of Central Italy population. Acta Biomed. 2018 Mar 27;89(1):93-98. doi: 10.23750/abm.v89i1.7059
Yabe H, Suzuki Y, Mashiko H, Nakayama Y, Hisata M, Niwa S, Yasumura S, Yamashita S, Kamiya K, Abe M; Mental Health Group of the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Psychological distress after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: results of a mental health and lifestyle survey through the Fukushima Health Management Survey in FY2011 and FY2012. Fukushima J Med Sci. 2014;60(1):57-67
Kračmarová L, Klusoňová H, Petrelli F, Grappasonni I. Tobacco, alcohol and illegal substances: experiences and attitudes among Italian university students. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2011 Sep-Oct;57(5):523-8
Scuri S, Petrelli F, Tesauro M, Carrozzo F, Kracmarova L, Grappasonni I. Energy drink consumption: a survey in high school students and associated psychological effects. J Prev Med Hyg. 2018 Mar 30;59(1):E75-E79. doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2018.59.1.898
Petrelli F, Grappasonni I, Evangelista D, Pompei P, Broglia G, Cioffi P, Kracmarova L, Scuri S. Mental and physical effects of energy drinks consumption in an Italian young people group: a pilot study. J Prev Med Hyg. 2018 Mar 30;59(1):E80-E87. doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2018.59.1.900