Perceived self-efficacy during an emergency situation reduces posttraumatic stress symptoms.

This study investigates if perceived self-efficacy during an emergency situation has a protective role in the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms among Italian and Spanish survivors of several emergency situations. We explored the impact of self-efficacy in a multiple regression model including other predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as emergency prevention knowledge; trust in emergency services; risk perception of becoming a victim of an emergency situation; and conscious and active behaviors in comparison with no conscious and no active behavior during the emergency. We carried out a retrospective study recruiting 214 participants who reported their experience as victims of one specific emergency event. Results showed that survivors who perceived themselves as more self-efficacious during the traumatic event had less posttraumatic stress symptoms. In contrast, female gender, more self-threat perception and higher trauma severity were associated with more symptoms. Findings contribute to better understand human behavior in emergency situations and evidence the protective role of perceived self-efficacy beliefs among survivors of emergency situations.

Risk perception of different emergencies in a sample of European firefighters.

OBJECTIVE: Firefighters frequently incur injuries while providing emergency services. Risk perception has been found to be associated with injury and safety behavior. This study examined risk perception of different emergency situations among firefighters. Along with risk perceptions, we investigated the role of practical experience, perceived training, tenure, and acute stress related to different emergency situations. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were a sample of 1324 firefighters from Germany and Italy. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to participants on risk perceptions, practical experience, perceived training, tenure, and acute stress. RESULTS: The results showed that different levels of risk perception are related to different practical experience, acute stress reactions, and training. Higher risk perception was associated with higher perceived training, practical experience, and acute stress reactions. A significant difference was found between the German and the Italian sample in risk perceptions. More specifically the Italian sample perceived disasters (e.g., earthquakes) as more risky. Moreover, there were some differences in perceived training and practical experience about the different emergency situations, in the two samples. CONCLUSION: The results underline the importance of considering organizational factors in the prediction of risk perception among firefighters.

Perceived self-efficacy during an emergency situation reduces posttraumatic stress symptoms

This study investigates if perceived self-efficacy during an emergency situation has a protective role in the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms among Italian and Spanish survivors of several emergency situations. We explored the impact of self-efficacy in a multiple regression model including other predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as emergency prevention knowledge; trust in emergency services; risk perception of becoming a victim of an emergency situation; and conscious and active behaviors in comparison with no conscious and no active behavior during the emergency. We carried out a retrospective study recruiting 214 participants who reported their experience as victims of one specific emergency event. Results showed that survivors who perceived themselves as more self-efficacious during the traumatic event had less posttraumatic stress symptoms. In contrast, female gender, more self-threat perception and higher trauma severity were associated with more symptoms. Findings contribute to better understand human behavior in emergency situations and evidence the protective role of perceived self-efficacy beliefs among survivors of emergency situations (AU)

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Conocimientos y creencias sobre abuso sexual infantil en estudiantes universitarios españoles / Knowledge and beliefs on child sexual abuse by Spanish university students

Objetivo: Este estudio pretende evaluar el nivel de conocimientos de una muestra de estudiantes universitarios españoles sobre el abuso sexual infantil, así como analizar las creencias y los mitos acerca de esta tipología de maltrato. Método: Se ha estudiado una muestra aleatoria (n = 200) de estudiantes matriculados en los estudios de psicología mediante un cuestionario de 21 ítems. Resultados: La mayoría de los estudiantes afirman que los abusos sexuales pueden producirse a cualquier edad (61.3%), sitúan estos actos en el ámbito familiar (86.9%) y creen que se producen en ambos sexos por igual (58.8%). Tan sólo el 13.1% de los estudiantes tiene conocimiento de métodos de evaluación del abuso sexual infantil y la mayoría de ellos no conoce sus consecuencias penales (73.9%). Si tuvieran la certeza de que el abuso se ha producido un 98.5% lo denunciaría, sin embargo, ante una sospecha, un 81.3% no comunicaría el hecho. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos evidencian un conocimiento bastante acertado por parte de los estudiantes encuestados respecto al abuso sexual infantil, si bien persiste la existencia de falsas creencias que pueden comportar dificultades en el ejercicio práctico de la profesión (AU)

Objective: The aim of this study was two-fold: to assess the level of knowledge of a sample of Spanish university students about child sexual abuse and to analyze the beliefs and myths that the university population has concerning this kind of maltreatment. Method: A random sample (n = 200) of students enrolled in Psychology were surveyed with a 21 items questionnaire. Results: The students stated that sexual abuse can occur at any age (61.3%) and in both sexes (58.8%). Besides, they place these acts within the family context (86.9%). However, just the 13% of the students have some knowledge about assessment methods of child sexual abuse and the majority of them do not know its criminal consequences (73.9%). If they had the certainty that an abuse has occurred, 98.5% would report it to the authorities; nevertheless, if they had just suspected it, an 81.3% of them would not report the alleged abuse. Conclusions: The results obtained show that the students surveyed had a good knowledge regarding child sexual abuse. However, there are still false beliefs which can impair the proper development of the profession (AU)

[Risk perception, use of PPE and injuries among firefighters]. / Percezione dei rischi, uso dei DPI e infortuni tra i vigili del fuoco.

INTRODUCTION: The present study, situated in the safety at work issue, is aimed to evaluate the risk perception and preventive behaviour (the use of individual protection devices) in the fire brigade work, with reference to the most typical risk for these workers: cylinder blast; fire and exhalation of toxic steam; road accidents; falls, cuts, contusions; stress and physical strain. To this end a psychosocial perspective is adopted and different dimensions of risk perception are considered. METHODS: Data were collected through a questionnaire filled in by 115 fire brigade workers and were statistically analysed to describe the risk perception about the different risks, to evaluate the relationship between the different dimensions of risk perception and to verify the variables that are more predictive of injuries. RESULTS: Cylinder blast is perceived as the most severe risk and participants report to be more exposed and trained to this specific risk in comparison with others. Falls, cuts, contusions as well as stress and fatigue are considered to be contributing factors of injuries. Participants with previous injuries are more likely to report to be exposed (r = .23; p < .05) and to be in danger (r = .22; p < .05) to occupational risks and to report less compliance with individual protective devices (r = .23; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Results show the relevance of promotion of safe-related behaviours among fire fighters and to take into account specific risk related to the job.