Emotion Regulation Training for PTSD Prevention in Firefighters
(PEER UP Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Baylor Research Institute

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a peer-delivered emotion regulation training (Brief-Unified Protocol) workshop is effective for preventing posttraumatic stress and other psychological health symptoms in firefighter trainees. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do firefighter recruits who receive peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol report lower PTSD symptom severity over time compared to those who receive psychoeducation? * Do firefighter recruits who receive peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol report lower AUD, depression, anxiety, and functional impairment symptom severity over time compared to those who receive psychoeducation? * Do changes in neuroticism or emotion regulation mediate the effect of receiving the Brief-Unified Protocol on the treatment outcomes? Participants will: * Participate in a Brief-Unified Protocol workshop or psychoeducation workshop during fire academy training. * Complete a questionnaire prior to the workshop. * Complete a questionnaire immediately following the workshop and follow up questionnaires at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after completing the fire academy. Researchers will compare firefighters who receive a peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol workshop to firefighters who receive peer-delivered psychoeducation to see if the Brief-Unified Protocol is effective for preventing posttraumatic stress and other psychological health symptoms.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for firefighter trainees who are at least 21 years old, speak English, can consent to participate, and are willing to be contacted for follow-up assessments. They must be able to complete interviews and self-report assessments.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 21 years old or older.

I speak English.

I can sign a consent form.

+2 more

Participant Groups

The study tests if a peer-delivered Brief-Unified Protocol workshop helps prevent PTSD and other mental health issues in firefighters better than just psychoeducation. It includes questionnaires before and after the workshops, with follow-ups over two years.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Brief Unified ProtocolExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

This workshop includes education regarding basic human emotions, why we have emotions, how they help us, how they can get in the way, and how they are related to psychological health problems, including among firefighters. Skills that are helpful in managing strong or unwanted emotions will be taught and practiced during the workshop. A workshop manual will be provided. Brief videos summarizing the material will be emailed over the course of the month following the workshop.

Group II: PsychoeducationActive Control1 Intervention

This workshop provides education regarding signs and symptoms of psychological health challenges that are most commonly experienced by firefighters. These include posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and alcohol and substance misuse. This workshop is a standard part of fire academy training. A workshop manual will be provided. Brief videos summarizing the material will be emailed over the course of the month following the workshop.