Suzy B. Gulliver Ph.D.

Perrotte, J.K., Piña-Watson, B., Baumann, M.R., Weston, R., Morissette, S.B., Gulliver, S.B., Grigsby, T.J. and Garza, R.T. (2021). “Domains matter: A prospective investigation of traditional feminine gender roles and alcohol use among Latinas.” J Ethn Subst Abuse Dec 14. [Epub ahead of print]. 1-21.

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Scholars suggest traditional feminine gender roles (TFGRs) influence alcohol use among U.S. Latinas, but relevant literature is limited. This two-wave study examined how multi-dimensional internal (i.e., beliefs) and external (i.e., practices) TFGR processes related to drinking among college-bound Latina emerging adults across time. TFGRs characterized by virtue predicted less alcohol engagement, while some TFGR dimensions (e.g., subordinate) predicted more. TFGR practices more strongly predicted cross-sectional alcohol outcomes than TFGR beliefs, although some TFGR beliefs predicted later drinking. These findings highlight the utility of assessing multiple TFGR dimensions and domains to better understand the link between TFGRs and drinking among Latinas.

Pennington, M.L., Dupree, J., Coe, E., Ostiguy, W., Kimbrel, N.A., Meyer, E.C. and Gulliver, S.B. (2021). “Working near a supervised injection facility: A qualitative study of perspectives of firefighter-emergency medical responders.” Am J Ind Med Feb 1. [ Epub ahead of print].

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BACKGROUND: While firefighter-emergency medical responders (FF-EMR) are important stakeholders in cities considering the implementation of a supervised injection facility (SIF), there is little information on perspectives of first responders who serve these communities. The aim of the present study was to identify FF-EMR perspectives on working near a SIF. METHODS: FF-EMRs from Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services completed an online survey that queried participant perspectives on working near a SIF. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: positive effects, negative effects, duration of assignment, and sense of duty. Similar percentages of first responders reported positive (22.2%) and negative aspects (25.9%) of working near the SIF, while some (18.5%) indicated preference for a short-term assignment to the SIF area. FF-EMRs most commonly described a sense of duty (35.2%). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, our study is the first to identify FF-EMR perspectives related to work near a SIF. Perspectives and concerns of first responders should be considered in policy debates about implementation of new SIFs to guarantee an adequately-prepared first responder workforce.

Pennington, M.L., Ylitalo, K.R., Lanning, B.A., Dolan, S.L. and Gulliver, S.B. (2021). “An epidemiologic study of suicide among firefighters: Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003 – 2017.” Psychiatry Res 295: 113594

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Suicide is a significant concern among fire service due to high rates of suicide behaviors. The aim of this study was to describe suicides among firefighters using national suicide death data. Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System for 722 firefighters and 192,430 non-firefighters were analyzed to compare sociodemographics and risk factors between firefighter and non-firefighter decedents; and among firefighters based on suicide means. A greater proportion of firefighter decedents died by firearm compared to non-firefighters. Firefighter decedents were less likely to have been diagnosed with depression, but more likely to have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder compared to non-firefighters. A greater percentage of firefighter decedents had a relationship or physical health problem prior to death, but a lower percentage had a history of suicide thoughts/attempts. Among firefighter decedents, multivariate analysis showed physical health problems and disclosing suicide intent predicted death by firearm. Greater awareness of risk factors, reduced access to lethal means, and ensuring access to behavioral health services may aide in decreasing suicide mortality in this population. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to limitations concerning report accuracy, generalizability, small female sample size, and inclusion of data only for lethal suicide attempts.

Gulliver, S.B., Zimering, R.T., Knight, J., Morissette, S.B., Kamholz, B.W., Pennington, M.L., Dobani, F., Carpenter, T.P., Kimbrel, N.A., Keane, T.M. and Meyer, E.C. (2021). “A prospective study of firefighters’ PTSD and depression symptoms: The first 3 years of service.” Psychol Trauma 13(1): 44-55.

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Objective: Firefighters are an important sample of convenience to study traumatic exposure and symptom development. This study assessed trauma exposure inside and outside of fire service, diagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated disorders using clinical interviews and self-report measures, then tested the hypothesis that trauma exposure would predict distress in firefighters over the first 3 years in service. Method: In total, 322 professional firefighter recruits were assessed during academy training and through their first 3 years of service. Diagnostic assessments were conducted by psychologists annually, and symptom checklists were completed by telephone every 4 months. Results: Firefighter recruits were exposed to approximately nine potentially traumatic events (PTEs) in the first 3 years of fire service, with 66% of these events occurring in the line of duty. Very few (3%) developed diagnoses of PTSD, major depression, or generalized anxiety disorder. Models of distress supported a trait model of distress. Distress was stable within individuals over time, and although those reporting more distress also reported more trauma exposure, variation in distress over time was not predicted by trauma exposure. Conclusions: Professional firefighters experience frequent exposure to potentially traumatic events during their early careers. This exposure, although large, does not result in a large proportion of mental health diagnoses. Distress was consistent and low, which provides evidence of the resilient nature of those selecting a career in emergency service. Future work is needed to understand the disconnection between the current rigorously collected prospective data and the existing literature regarding the increased risk of PTSD and associated disorders in fire service.

Ryan-Gonzalez, C., N. A. Kimbrel, E. C. Meyer, E. M. Gordon, B. B. DeBeer, S. B. Gulliver, T. R. Elliott and S. B. Morissette (2019). “Differences in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Post-9/11 Veterans with Blast- and Non-Blast Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.” J Neurotrauma 36(10): 1584-1590.

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The relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been difficult to disentangle, in part due to the commonality of incidents that can cause both conditions, as well as high rates of comorbidity between the two conditions. Inconsistent findings may be related to different study characteristics and types of mild TBI (mTBI) sustained (e.g., blast, non-blast). The objective of this study was to determine the association of blast- versus non-blast-related TBIs with long-term PTSD symptoms after controlling for demographic variables and trauma exposure. The sample included 230 post-9/11 veterans who experienced a blast-related mTBI (n = 29), non-blast mTBI (n = 74), combined blast and non-blast mTBI (n = 40), or no TBI (n = 87). As hypothesized, a between-groups analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that, after controlling for demographics, combat exposure, and prior trauma, PTSD symptoms among individuals with blast-related mTBI and combined blast and non-blast mTBI were significantly higher compared with non-blast-related mTBI and no TBI. These data suggest that blast-related mTBI is associated with more severe long-term PTSD symptoms.