PTSD Among Refugee Rescue Workers: Effects of Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue on Burnout

Abstract

Exposure to traumatic life events can affect workers’ prevalence to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 volunteers and 33 professional rescue workers in the Open Arms rescue ship operating in the Aegean Sea to analyze the effects of stress exposure on the professional quality of life. Volunteers presented more compassion satisfaction and less burnout than professionals. In terms of gender, women showed more secondary traumatic stress and intrusion than men. Finally, burnout can be explained by age, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic-stress. These results show the necessity of tailored interventions for the people who work in trauma contexts.

Keywords:

• PTSD
• burnout
• rescue
• secondary traumatic stress
• compassion satisfaction

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of all participating rescuers and foundations in the current study, during the most crucial period of the European refugee crisis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Duygu Kocer

Duygu Kocer, MSc in clinical psychology. Doctoral student at the Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences, Ramon Llull University. Member of the staff on the Research Group in Communication and Health.

Núria Farriols

Núria Farriols, PhD in psychology. Professor of cognitive-behavioral models at the Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences, Ramon Llull University. Member of the staff on the Research Group in Communication and Health. Clinical psychologist at the Adult Mental Health Center of Mataró’s Hospital, Consorci Sanitari del Maresme.

Ignacio Cifre

Ignacio Cifre, PhD in animal biology and methods and statistics professor at the Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Sciences, Ramon Llull University. Member of the staff on the Research Group in Communication and Health.

Mercè Nomen

Mercè Nomen, Open Arms psychologist, La Fundació Galatea psychologist.

Marga Lalande

Marga Lalande, general health psychologist. Founder and coordinator of the psychological support team for maritime rescue members at Open Arms (2015–2020).

Alma Calvelo

Alma Calvelo General health psychologist and master in forensic psychology. Psychological support team member in the Maritime Rescue Team at Open Arms until 2020.