Análise da exposição regular a incidentes críticos e do construto de hardiness em profissionais de primeira resposta

Abstract

Professionals working as first responders to critical incidents are emotionally affected, in different forms and intensities, for the nature of their work. The closeness, duration, frequency and intensity of the exposure to these events are factors that are seen as possible triggers to significant damage to their mental health. This scenario highlights the need to deepen the knowledge of protective and preventive mechanisms of mental health for this group of workers. Thus, the construct of hardiness, a personality variable seen as an endurance resource to the negative consequences of adverse conditions, seems to be a promising tool in order to implement preventive actions in this population. The main purpose of this Thesis, therefore, was to understand the association between psychopathological functioning aspects and the regular exposure to critical incidents as well as the construct of hardiness in the same individuals. The study led to the elaboration of four sections. The first section, of theoretical nature, aimed to perfom a systematic review in the literature of studies addressing the construct of hardiness applied to the this context and to first responders. By reading the articles, the possibilities of hardiness acting as a predictor of psychological distress and emotional illness was discussed, as well as how it interferes in the type of response (positive or negative) to stress-related duties. In the second section an empirical, quantitative, cross-sectional study is depicted, focusing in understanding the relationship between regular exposure to critical incidents and psychopathology aspects in 61 working professionals from an ambulance emergency service and another 61 professtionals of federal level police force, both from the city of Porto Alegre. Through the analysis of the frequency of critical incidents associated with behavior, emotional and social problems related scales, the impact of these incidents to the mental health of the professionals was evidenced. The third section, also of a quantitative cross-sectional nature, meant to assess the relationship between the construct of hardiness and sociodemographic and work related variables, as well as psychopathologic and adaptive functioning in the same professionals. According to the results, higher levels of hardiness, considering its three domains, will predict lower levels of psychopathological problems. Also, the construct was predictive of higher levels of relationship with their work and the people involved on it. The same way, the construct was predictive of higher levels of relations with work and people involved in this. Finally, the fourth section, based on the analyzed results in the other two empirical sections of this thesis, discussed guiding axes for a larger program to promote emotional care for both professional groups in the study. The discussion was about two focusing areas; first, a training strategy in the face of the regular exposure to critical incidents based psychoeducational strategies and the knowledge of the Psychological First Aid; and them, the increase of hardiness, understood as an important protective factor, also through a psychoeducational approach.