HUGS@Home - An initial evaluation of a psychological first aid programme for families and friends of first responders

IF 4.8 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHIATRY

Comprehensive psychiatry Pub Date : 2025-11-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-10 DOI:10.1016/j.comppsych.2025.152636

Michelle O'Toole , Brian Doyle , Walter Eppich , Brett Williams , Alan M. Batt

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

First responders such as paramedics and firefighters increasingly rely on their family and friends for psychosocial support due to workplace barriers such as culture and stigma. Despite many benefits, such support is often perceived as placing a burden on family and friends. The ability to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) has not yet been explored in the context of family members and friends providing support to first responders. In this study, we explored the impacts of PFA on first responders and family members/friends.

Methods

This pre-post study design was informed by a wider programme of research adopting a Community Based Participatory Research approach. We co-designed a simulation enhanced PFA training intervention -the HUGS@Home programme. We collected survey data over three time points from family member/friend participants and their corresponding first responders. We analysed the data using descriptive and comparative statistical analysis. External evaluation of the intervention occurred simultaneously.

Findings

Ten family member/friend cohorts (n = 82) completed the training in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Results indicate they experienced increased quality of life, improved social support, maintenance of high resilience scores, a slight increase in anxiety levels and most notably, enhanced post traumatic growth. Their related first responders (n = 33) noted similar results, in addition to demonstrating improved help-seeking and post-traumatic growth, specifically in the ‘improved relationships’ subdomain. Both groups found the intervention significant, meaningful, and valuable. External evaluation considered the programme mature and ready for wider implementation.

Conclusions

HUGS@Home contributes significantly to the international PFA evidence base as the first evaluation of a PFA intervention in Ireland. This is the first study to demonstrate that family members and friends can effectively provide PFA to first responders. Further planned and ongoing work will explore our findings in detail and evaluate programme implementation in volunteer first responder populations.

查看原文本刊更多论文

HUGS@Home -对急救人员的家人和朋友的心理急救方案的初步评估。

背景：由于文化和污名等工作场所障碍，护理人员和消防员等急救人员越来越依赖家人和朋友的社会心理支持。尽管有很多好处，但这种支持往往被视为给家人和朋友带来负担。提供心理急救（PFA）的能力尚未在家庭成员和朋友向急救人员提供支持的背景下进行探索。在本研究中，我们探讨了PFA对急救人员和家庭成员/朋友的影响。方法：采用基于社区的参与性研究方法，通过更广泛的研究项目来了解这种前后研究设计。我们共同设计了一个模拟增强PFA培训干预- HUGS@Home计划。我们从家庭成员/朋友参与者和他们相应的第一响应者中收集了三个时间点的调查数据。我们使用描述性和比较统计分析来分析数据。干预措施的外部评估同时进行。研究结果：10个家庭成员/朋友队列（n = 82）在爱尔兰和英国完成了培训。结果表明，他们的生活质量得到了提高，社会支持得到了改善，恢复力得分保持在较高水平，焦虑水平略有提高，最值得注意的是，创伤后成长得到了提高。他们相关的第一响应者（n = 33）也注意到类似的结果，除了表明寻求帮助和创伤后成长有所改善，特别是在“改善的关系”子领域。两组人都认为干预是重要的、有意义的和有价值的。外部评价认为该方案已经成熟，可以更广泛地执行。结论：HUGS@Home作为爱尔兰PFA干预的首次评估，为国际PFA证据基础做出了重大贡献。这是第一个证明家庭成员和朋友可以有效地向急救人员提供PFA的研究。进一步计划和正在进行的工作将详细探讨我们的发现，并评估志愿第一响应者群体中的方案实施情况。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Comprehensive psychiatry 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

12.50

自引率

1.40%

发文量

审稿时长

29 days

期刊介绍： "Comprehensive Psychiatry" is an open access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the field of psychiatry and mental health. Its primary mission is to share the latest advancements in knowledge to enhance patient care and deepen the understanding of mental illnesses. The journal is supported by a diverse team of international editors and peer reviewers, ensuring the publication of high-quality research with a strong focus on clinical relevance and the implications for psychopathology. "Comprehensive Psychiatry" encourages authors to present their research in an accessible manner, facilitating engagement with clinicians, policymakers, and the broader public. By embracing an open access policy, the journal aims to maximize the global impact of its content, making it readily available to a wide audience and fostering scientific collaboration and public awareness beyond the traditional academic community. This approach is designed to promote a more inclusive and informed dialogue on mental health, contributing to the overall progress in the field.