Effects of a Structured Stress Management Program on Psychological and Physiological Indicators among Marine Hazard Rescues

• Published in: Journal of Occupational Health Vol. 46; no. 6; pp. 497 - 499
• Main Authors: Kamiyama, Kimika, Yamami, Nobuo, Sato, Keiko, Aoyagi, Miki, Kyoya, Minako, Mizuno, Eriko, Uemura, Michiru, Kawamoto, Yuko, Okuda, Mina, Togawa, Seiichiro, Shibayama, Masaharu, Hosaka, Takashi, Mano, Yoshihiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia JAPAN SOCIETY FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 01.11.2004; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological - physiology; Adult; Humans; Japan; Male; Mental health; Military Personnel; NK cell activity; Relaxation training; Rescue; Rescue Work; Stress; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - physiopathology; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - prevention & control; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - psychology; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Stress, Psychological - therapy; Japan
• ISSN: 1341-9145; 1348-9585; 1348-9585
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.46.497

Acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorder are well-documented consequences of disasters and accidents1-3). Moreover, rescuers have various stresses in daily work including those associated with training4). We have investigated the physical and mental states of marine hazards rescue services in Japan for 6 yr. Their daily responsibilities, including dispatch and training, were physically and mentally burdensome. There might be a risk of health impairment, but this cannot be avoided because of the demanding work needed to conduct rescues. It is possible to change the ability to cope with stress by education and training5, 6)* Two stress management programs, a "Structured stress management Program" composed of psycho-education, group discussion and relaxation training, and a "psycho-education program only", were devised as strategies for promoting more efficient work considering safety and for upgrading competence to carry out rescues. The effects of these programs were evaluated. Subjects and Methods Subjects The subjects were marine hazard rescue service personnel (28 men), all persons belonging to a public agency (not civilian). Their main responsibility was to handle various marine disasters and accidents, such as saving people from hulls and overturned ships by coming down from a helicopter, and handling fires and explosions on ships loading dangerous objects, searching for victims, and so on. They have been divided into 5 groups. Each group consisted of 5-6 persons.