The Effects of a Self-Disclosure Program Using Expressive Writing on Optimism, Problem-Focused Coping, Deliberate Rumination, and Posttraumatic Growth of Korean Firefighters with Rescue-Firefighting Duties: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Firefighters are frequently exposed to job-related traumatic events that may have negative health consequences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a self-disclosure program using expressive writing to enhance firefighters' positive psychological improvements. Materials and Methods: Allowing for attrition, 28 firefighters working in rescue-firefighting duties were recruited from five fire stations in Changwon in 2018. An experimental group received the self-disclosure program, in which expressive writing consisted of four sessions for enhancing post-traumatic growth. Participants filled out the Life Orientation Test-Revised Optimism Scale, the Korean version of the Brief COPE for problem-focused coping, the Korean version of the Event-Related Ruminating Scale to measure ruminative thinking, and the Korean version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory to measure posttraumatic development. The data were analyzed by frequency, mean and standard deviation, and paired t-test using the SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. The significance level of alpha was.05. Results: Male participants in rescue-firefighting duties participated, and worked as firefighters for an average of 13.57 years. There were significant differences between pretest and posttest findings on optimism (t=2.60, p=.016), problem-focused coping (t=2.51, p=.019), and deliberate rumination (t=2.32, p=.029). It indicated that the experimental group's optimism, problem-focused coping, and deliberate rumination significantly increased after participating in the expressive writing program. Conclusion: The self-disclosure program using expressive writing is effective for firefighters with job-related traumatic events by developing positive psychological changes. It is advised that a chief fire officer should offer a self-disclosure program to help firefighters promote posttraumatic growth. © The Author(s) 2023. All rights reserved.