Category
Theoretical Proposal
Description
This study reviewed research that explores the relationship between mindfulness, resilience, and wellness for First Responders with work related trauma. Mindfulness has a basis firmly rooted in Buddhist psychology, and shares similar conceptual tenets with Greek philosophy, existentialism, transcendentalism, and humanism which all center around the consciousness of attention and awareness. Resilience has a variety of interpretations within the literature and is understood as a dynamic process accounting for environmental and psychosocial factors that help people survive, grow, and thrive despite adversity. Wellness, though not concretely defined, is similar to overall health which is defined by the World Health Organization as “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In this study, First Responders consists of Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians/Paramedics, Dispatchers, and Correctional Officers. The Population, Context, and Concept (PCC) approach was used to facilitate the development of eligibility criteria and standardize screening. Article section was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). General results of the study found high levels of self-compassion and high levels of peer support after a traumatizing or potentially traumatizing incident significantly increased resiliency. There was a positive correlation between increased mindfulness and increased resilience. Interventions which increase the mind-body connection increased mindfulness through present moment and body awareness. Increased mindfulness was also associated with moderating the effects of stress reactions. Future research should investigate: the role of prayer as a type of mindfulness (i.e. serenity prayer, gratitude, and compassion), further define and explore the enhancement of wellness (i.e. not just the lessening of negative effects), and increased focus on Dispatchers and Correctional Officers. Key Words: First Responder Wellness, First Responder Resilience, First Responder Mindfulness, First Responder Trauma
A Scoping Review: The Relationship between Mindfulness, Resilience, and Wellness for First Responders with Work Related Trauma
Theoretical Proposal
This study reviewed research that explores the relationship between mindfulness, resilience, and wellness for First Responders with work related trauma. Mindfulness has a basis firmly rooted in Buddhist psychology, and shares similar conceptual tenets with Greek philosophy, existentialism, transcendentalism, and humanism which all center around the consciousness of attention and awareness. Resilience has a variety of interpretations within the literature and is understood as a dynamic process accounting for environmental and psychosocial factors that help people survive, grow, and thrive despite adversity. Wellness, though not concretely defined, is similar to overall health which is defined by the World Health Organization as “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In this study, First Responders consists of Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians/Paramedics, Dispatchers, and Correctional Officers. The Population, Context, and Concept (PCC) approach was used to facilitate the development of eligibility criteria and standardize screening. Article section was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). General results of the study found high levels of self-compassion and high levels of peer support after a traumatizing or potentially traumatizing incident significantly increased resiliency. There was a positive correlation between increased mindfulness and increased resilience. Interventions which increase the mind-body connection increased mindfulness through present moment and body awareness. Increased mindfulness was also associated with moderating the effects of stress reactions. Future research should investigate: the role of prayer as a type of mindfulness (i.e. serenity prayer, gratitude, and compassion), further define and explore the enhancement of wellness (i.e. not just the lessening of negative effects), and increased focus on Dispatchers and Correctional Officers. Key Words: First Responder Wellness, First Responder Resilience, First Responder Mindfulness, First Responder Trauma
