Modeling the Relationship between Traumatic Events, Resilience and Personality Type with Symptoms of Depression and Somatoform Problems with Mediating Role of Perceived Job Stress and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Depression and Somatoform problems are among the psychological problems in traumatic work environments that the evaluation and treatment of these mental problems is essential to improve mental health, increase productivity and quality of services in organizations. The aim of this study was to test a model of the relationship between traumatic events, resilience and personality type with depressive symptoms and Somatoform problems; the mediating role of perceived job stress and the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in relation to traumatic events and Criterion variables among the firefighters in Mashhad.

The research method is descriptive-correlation type of structural equation modeling. The statistical population of all operational firefighters in Mashhad in 2019 included 1100 people. 423 people were selected as a sample by simple random sampling method. Data were collected through standard questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test and structural equation modeling (α <0.05). 

The results showed traumatic events (β = 0.18, β = 0.29), resilience (β = -0.14, β = -0.37), personality type (β = 0.22), perceived job stress (β = 0.19, β = 0.11) and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (β = 0.15, β = 0.20) predict symptoms of depression and Somatoform problems. In addition, the mediating role of perceived job stress and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in the relationship between traumatic events with depressive symptoms and Somatoform problems was confirmed. 

Based on the findings, traumatic events, resilience, personality type, perceived job stress and post-traumatic stress symptoms play a role in reducing depressive symptoms and Somatoform problems in firefighters. It is recommended that based on these variables to define periodic evaluations and be considered in the recruitment and psychological training of firefighters.