Traumatic Rescue Experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Firefighters: The Moderating Roles of Inhibitory Control and Cognitive Flexibility

Zhong Xia, Wang Jingyi

2025

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between traumatic stress exposure and PTSD symptoms in Chinese firefighters using questionnaire and test methods, and to examine the moderating effects of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility of executive functions. METHODS: A total of 263 frontline firefighters from China participated in this study. The self-developed "20-item Firefighter Stress Trauma Exposure Experience Inventory" was employed to investigate the subjects' experiences of traumatic events related to firefighting and rescue tasks since their recruitment. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale (PCL-5) was used to assess the presence and severity of PTSD-related symptoms. Inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility were evaluated using the Stroop test and the number manipulation test, respectively. A moderating model was constructed through path analysis. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis revealed that traumatic stress exposure significantly and positively predicted the severity of PTSD symptoms in firefighters (p < 0.05). The moderating effect of inhibitory control was significant (p < 0.05), with simple slope analysis indicating that firefighters with strong inhibitory control were less adversely affected by traumatic stress exposure. Although the moderating effect of cognitive flexibility was not significant (p > 0.05), the simple slope analysis exhibited a trend similar to that of inhibitory control. CONCLUSION: Inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility can moderate the development of PTSD in firefighters to some extent. The findings underscore the potential value of utilizing executive function and other cognitive training to enhance firefighters’ resilience to PTSD.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Xia Z. and Jingyi W. (2025). Traumatic Rescue Experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Firefighters: The Moderating Roles of Inhibitory Control and Cognitive Flexibility. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE; ISBN 978-989-758-743-6, SciTePress, pages 155-164. DOI: 10.5220/0013036700003938

in Bibtex Style

@conference{ict4awe25,
author={Zhong Xia and Wang Jingyi},
title={Traumatic Rescue Experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Firefighters: The Moderating Roles of Inhibitory Control and Cognitive Flexibility},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE},
year={2025},
pages={155-164},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013036700003938},
isbn={978-989-758-743-6},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE
TI - Traumatic Rescue Experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Firefighters: The Moderating Roles of Inhibitory Control and Cognitive Flexibility
SN - 978-989-758-743-6
AU - Xia Z.
AU - Jingyi W.
PY - 2025
SP - 155
EP - 164
DO - 10.5220/0013036700003938
PB - SciTePress