Preventing Psychological Distress in First Responders: A Review of Modifiable Protective and Risk Factors
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Authors
Beck, Mary
Issue Date
2026-04-26
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
first responders , mental health prevention , psychological distress , organizational factors , social support , posttraumatic stress , prevention framework
Alternative Title
Abstract
First responders are routinely exposed to trauma, operational stress, and demanding workplace conditions that increase risk for psychological distress and mental health disorders. This capstone reviews literature on prevention in first responder mental health, with a focus on modifiable factors associated with psychological outcomes across organizational, interpersonal, and individual levels. The findings suggest that prevention cannot be understood solely as an individual responsibility. Organizational conditions, including leadership practices, workplace climate, communication, and access to resources, appear to shape whether support systems and individual strategies are trusted, promoted, and sustained over time. Interpersonal influences, including peer, supervisory, family, and other social supports, were also associated with psychological outcomes, while individual-level factors such as coping, mindfulness-based skills, sleep, physical activity, and body-based approaches emerged as relevant areas for prevention-oriented intervention. In response to these findings, this project proposes a systems-based prevention framework and outlines a psychoeducational workshop intended for organizational leaders and decision-makers within first responder agencies. Together, these applied components are designed to translate the literature into a practical model for prevention-oriented planning and to support a more proactive and coordinated approach to first responder mental health.
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess