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Sleep Quality as a Mediator of Trauma Symptoms and Functional Status in First Responders

Exposure to trauma, injuries, and sleep disturbances are inherent occupational risks for firefighters. In this study, we examined the relationship between trauma symptoms and functional status, as mediated by sleep, in a sample of firefighters from a large urban fire department in the southern U.S. Participants completed self-report measures via an online survey. Trauma symptom severity had a significant direct effect on functional impairment and a significant indirect effect via sleep quality. Interventions aimed at improving sleep quality have the potential to reduce functional impairment, increase overall health, and decrease the economic consequences of injury and disability among firefighters.maladaptive strategies. Results indicate RSA may predict an individual’s tendency to use specific adaptive or maladaptive emotion regulation strategies in response to stress.