Peer Support Programs for First Responders: A Critical Review and Research Roadmap

Clint Bowers (), Deborah C. Beidel and Victoria L. Steigerwald
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Clint Bowers: UCF RESTORES, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
Deborah C. Beidel: UCF RESTORES, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
Victoria L. Steigerwald: UCF RESTORES, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-8

Abstract: First responders face adverse health effects because they regularly encounter stressful situations and potentially traumatic events. Peer support programs have emerged as a method to reduce these adverse outcomes. A growing interest in peer programs exists despite a restricted body of research in this field. Additionally, the current research on this topic faces significant conceptual and methodological shortcomings. This paper conducts an extensive analysis of present peer support research gaps before proposing future study directions to improve our understanding of this intervention.

Keywords: first responders; peer support; police; firefighters; paramedics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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