Admiration and motivation: key factors in managing PTSD among firefighters

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a significant challenge for firefighters. While research suggests that admiration may have a positive impact on individual psychological well-being, its specific influence on PTSD among firefighters remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the association between admiration, motivation (both internal and external), and PTSD in a sample of 2156 firefighters in order to identify effective coping strategies for managing PTSD in this population. The findings indicate a statistically significant inverse relationship between admiration and PTSD, with motivation acting as a mediator. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that internal motivation is negatively correlated with PTSD in the model, while external motivation shows a positive correlation. The results suggest that feelings of admiration are associated with firefighter PTSD via motivation. Specifically, internal motivation stemming from admiration appears to have a mitigating effect on PTSD symptoms, while external motivation is linked to exacerbation of these symptoms. These results have implications for the development of theoretical frameworks and practical interventions aimed at preventing PTSD among firefighters.