Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27114240›Full record

SynthesisBMC psychology2016

Social and occupational factors associated with psychological distress and disorder among disaster responders: a systematic review.

Samantha K Brooks, Rebecca Dunn, Richard Amlôt, Neil Greenberg, G James Rubin

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC psychology, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 63 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
63citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

63 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  7. Effects of a Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Intervention on Momentary Stress Among First Responders: a Micro-Randomized Trial.Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research · 2026
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3 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Samantha K BrooksKing's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ, UK. samantha.k.brooks@kcl.ac.uk.
Rebecca DunnKing's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ, UK.
Richard AmlôtPublic Health England, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Health Protection and Medical Directorate, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wilts, SP4 0JG, UK.
Neil GreenbergKing's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ, UK.
G James RubinKing's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWhen disasters occur, there are many different occupational groups involved in rescue, recovery and support efforts. This study aimed to conduct a systematic literature review to identify social and occupational factors affecting the psychological impact of disasters on responders.

methodsFour electronic literature databases (MEDLINE®, Embase, PsycINFO® and Web of Science) were searched and hand searches of reference lists were carried out. Papers were screened against specific inclusion criteria (e.g. published in peer-reviewed journal in English; included a quantitative measure of wellbeing; participants were disaster responders). Data was extracted from relevant papers and thematic analysis was used to develop a list of key factors affecting the wellbeing of disaster responders.

resultsEighteen thousand five papers were found and 111 included in the review. The psychological impact of disasters on responders appeared associated with pre-disaster factors (occupational factors; specialised training and preparedness; life events and health), during-disaster factors (exposure; duration on site and arrival time; emotional involvement; peri-traumatic distress/dissociation; role-related stressors; perceptions of safety, threat and risk; harm to self or close others; social support; professional support) and post-disaster factors (professional support; impact on life; life events; media; coping strategies).

conclusionsThere are steps that can be taken at all stages of a disaster (before, during and after) which may minimise risks to responders and enhance resilience. Preparedness (for the demands of the role and the potential psychological impact) and support (particularly from the organisation) are essential. The findings of this review could potentially be used to develop training workshops for professionals involved in disaster response.

Indexed as

DisastersRelief WorkSocial SupportEmergency RespondersEmotionsHumansStress, PsychologicalDisaster responseDisastersPsychological impactSystematic reviewWellbeing

Identifiers

PMID27114240
PMCPMC4845476

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.