Johnrev Guilaran

Citation

Thesis Title
The effects of received social support on posttraumatic stress symptoms and social adjustment of New Zealand and Philippine emergency responders

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Emergency responders face traumatic events regularly, which may lead to posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and changes in social adjustment. Although social support is considered a protective factor in these highly stressful situations, the effect of receiving social support in the context of emergency response has been unclear. Mr Guilaran examined the effects of receiving social support on PTSS and social adjustment in emergency responders in New Zealand and the Philippines. He found that although generally, receiving social support is associated with low levels of PTSS and positive social adjustment, some sources (supervisors, peers) and forms of received social support (emotional, tangible) had stronger effects than others. Furthermore, receiving support from supervisors was linked with high levels of PTSS when traumatic exposure was high. These findings showed some of the conditions that influenced the effectiveness of received social support on posttraumatic psychological outcomes in emergency responders.

Supervisors
Associate Professor Ian De Terte
Professor Krzysztof Kaniasty
Professor Christine Stephens