In Australia, adolescent volunteer surf lifesavers (SLS) are particularly vulnerable due to exposure to potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) through performing role-related tasks such as rescues and resuscitations. Adolescence is a critical time in social and cognitive development, in which shame plays an important role.
A total of 118 patrolling adolescent SLS, aged 13-17 years (M= 15.4 years) undertook an online, anonymous survey. Associations between demographics, PTEs, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), with shame as a moderator were assessed.
The results showed that PTEs in adolescents in and outside of SLS were associated with greater PTSS. Shame significantly predicted PTSS, accounting for significant variation in the relationship between trauma within SLS, and PTSS severity. That is, more trauma exposure was associated with significantly higher PTSS, especially for participants with greater feelings of shame.
By exploring links between PTEs, PTSS, and shame, these findings contribute to the development of strategies and interventions for adolescents during stressful experiences and highlights the role of shame as an important emotion within this vulnerable adolescent first responder population.