A preliminary study investigating the neglected domain of mental health in Australian lifesavers and lifeguards.

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dc.citation.issue1
dc.citation.volume23
dc.contributor.authorFien S
dc.contributor.authorLawes JC
dc.contributor.authorLedger J
dc.contributor.authorDrummond M
dc.contributor.authorSimon P
dc.contributor.authorJoseph N
dc.contributor.authorDaw S
dc.contributor.authorBest T
dc.contributor.authorStanton R
dc.contributor.authorde Terte I
dc.coverage.spatialEngland
dc.date.accessioned2024-05-16T01:01:16Z
dc.date.available2024-05-16T01:01:16Z
dc.date.issued2023-05-31
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Surf lifesavers and lifeguards have provided essential education, preventative, and rescue services to the Australian community for over 110 years. In this first responder role, surf lifesavers and lifeguards are inadvertently exposed to high risk and trauma related experiences, which may negatively impact mental well-being. To date however, there has been limited research into the mental health of surf lifesavers and lifeguards, and no studies at all on the mental health of adolescent surf lifesavers. The preliminary study aimed to measure the exposure of potentially traumatic events (PTEs), post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), self-efficacy, social support, and attitudes towards mental health problems in Surf Life Saving (SLS) members. METHODS: An anonymous, online survey was developed (adolescent and adult versions) and created to measure the domain of mental health in surf lifesavers and lifeguards. Pearson's correlations investigated relationships between PTEs, PTSS, self-efficacy, social support, attitudes towards mental health problems, age, years as a SLS member, and years patrolling. Spearman's Rank was used for violations of normality. RESULTS: A total of 57 surf lifesavers/lifeguards aged 13-59 years were included in the final analysis. There was a significant positive relationship between exposure to direct trauma and PTSS, which in turn, were associated with greater negative attitudes towards mental health problems towards the mental health of others, and lower levels of self-efficacy. Male and female adults with PTSS reported lower social support, whereas for adolescent males, a positive relationship between direct trauma and PTSS was observed. CONCLUSION: This research is the first to explore the mental health of Australian surf lifesavers and lifeguards. The results highlight the potential risks to mental health and well-being associated with this first responder role. More research to protect the vulnerability of this population is warranted.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.edition.edition2023
dc.format.pagination1036-
dc.identifier.author-urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37259042
dc.identifier.citationFien S, Lawes JC, Ledger J, Drummond M, Simon P, Joseph N, Daw S, Best T, Stanton R, de Terte I. (2023). A preliminary study investigating the neglected domain of mental health in Australian lifesavers and lifeguards.. BMC Public Health. 23. 1. (pp. 1036-).
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s12889-023-15741-5
dc.identifier.eissn1471-2458
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.issn1471-2458
dc.identifier.number1036
dc.identifier.pii10.1186/s12889-023-15741-5
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/69577
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherSpringer Nature Limited
dc.publisher.urihttps://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-15741-5
dc.relation.isPartOfBMC Public Health
dc.rights(c) 2023 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectFirst responders
dc.subjectLifeguards
dc.subjectLifesavers
dc.subjectMental health
dc.subjectPost-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS)
dc.subjectVolunteers
dc.subjectAdolescent
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectMental Health
dc.subjectStress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
dc.subjectSurveys and Questionnaires
dc.subjectSwimming
dc.subjectYoung Adult
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.titleA preliminary study investigating the neglected domain of mental health in Australian lifesavers and lifeguards.
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id461866
pubs.organisational-groupOther
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