Following exposure to traumatic events, individuals may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while some may experience post-traumatic growth (PTG) by overcoming adversity. However, others remain affected by PTSD symptoms over time. While previous research has primarily focused on large-scale traumatic events, such as terrorist attacks or disasters, recent attention has turned to emergency responders who are repeatedly exposed to trauma in the line of duty. This study surveyed 73 police officers, 95 firefighters, and 47 volunteer firefighters to explore their psychological outcomes and related factors. Measures included the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, PHQ-9, Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results revealed that police officers and firefighters reported lower PTG and perceived social support, with police officers demonstrating the poorest mental health. No significant differences were found in resilience or self-efficacy across groups. Correlational analyses indicated that social support, resilience, and self-efficacy were positively associated with PTG and negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis showed that social support and resilience significantly predicted PTG. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that resilience partially mediated the relationship between social support and PTG. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to enhance perceived social support among emergency responders, particularly police officers, as a means to foster PTG and sustain mental well-being in high-stress occupational settings.

Emergency Responders, Post-Traumatic Growth, Mental Health, Resilience, Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Multiple Regression, Mediation Analysis