Journal Article

Public Works Employees and Posttruamatic Stress Disorder: an At-Risk Population

Flannery, Raymond B, Flannery, Georgina J

2023

Overview

Although not widely known, public works employees in the United States were designated as emergency providers during critical incidents in 2003 and have provided these public works services, when activated. These public works employees may be either employees of a specific government entity or, more recently, privately contracted employees who provide similar services for a government entity. First responders working critical incidents are at risk for psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is less clear, however, whether government/contracted public works employees working the same critical incidents are subject to the same risk of onset. This paper reviewed 24 empirical studies assessing this possible association from 1980 to 2020. These studies included 94,302 government/contracted employees. Psychological trauma/PTSD was reported in all 24 manuscripts assessing PTSD. Three of these studies additionally reporting serious somatic health problems. Public works employees are at risk for onset and this is a worldwide issue. Study findings and treatment implications are presented.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: At risk populations / Critical incidents / Employees / First responders / Government / Government contracts / Government employees / Health problems / Mental health services / Post traumatic stress disorder / Psychological distress / Psychological trauma / Public health / Public works / Rescue workers / Risk / Trauma