ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The present investigation examined the main and interactive effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related medical vulnerability (CMV; the number of medical conditions with potential to elevate COVID-19 risk) and first responder status (emergency medical services roles vs non-emergency medical services roles) on mental health symptoms. METHODS: A national sample of 189 first responders completed an online survey between June and August 2020. Hierarchal linear regression analyses were conducted and included the following covariates: years served as a first responder, COVID-19 exposure, and trauma load. RESULTS: Unique main and interactive effects emerged for both CMV and first responder status. COVID-19-related medical vulnerability was uniquely associated with anxiety and depression, but not alcohol use. Simple slope analyses revealed divergent results. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that first responders with CMV are more likely to experience anxiety and depressive symptoms and that these associations may vary by first responder role.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cytomegalovirus Infections , Emergency Medical Services , Emergency Responders , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Anxiety/epidemiology , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Depression/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The present investigation evaluated the preliminary impact of COVID-19 exposure on first responder mental health. Data were collected between June and August 2020. The sample was comprised of 189 first responders (Mage = 47.58, SD = 10.93; 21% female), recruited nationally, who completed an online survey. Results indicated that COVID-19-exposed first responders were more likely to be emergency medical services [EMS] personnel (vs. non-EMS) in career (vs. volunteer) roles. COVID-19-exposed first responders reported higher alcohol use severity; no other between-group differences were noted. COVID-19-related worry and medical vulnerability were incrementally associated with more severe symptoms of anxiety and depression; only COVID-19-related worry was associated with alcohol use severity. Among the subset of first responders (n = 122) who reported COVID-19 exposure, COVID-19-related worry was significantly associated with PTSD symptom severity. Covariates included gender, trauma load, years as a first responder, and COVID-19 exposure. Clinical and policy implications as well as future directions will be discussed.