Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and such predictors as coping style and dispositional optimism in the group of professional paramedics. The study was conducted in a group of 440 paramedics employed by various units of the Polish Emergency Medical Service in five voivodships. Finally, research data obtained from 159 people were analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 34.14 (SD = 8.67), mean work experience - 9.22 years (SD = 7.67). The majority of participants were male (N = 139, 87.4%), which reflects the gender balance observed in this particular professional group. Intensity of PTSD symptoms was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R). Dispositional optimism was evaluated by means of the Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R) and coping styles were measured with the use of the multi-faceted Coping Orientations to Problems Expected (COPE) inventory. On the basis of the conducted studies, it can be concluded that PTSD concerns 28% of the participants. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that general risk of PTSD symptoms occurrence is caused by preferred coping style, namely the emotion-focused coping style (positive predictor). Furthermore, two-factor interaction regression analysis showed that dispositional optimism can play a role as a mediator of the relationship between PTSD general index and the emotion-focused coping style. Paramedics are more prone to develop PTSD symptoms than general population. This indicates the need for preventive steps to be taken in the professional group of paramedics taking into consideration their coping styles and level of dispositional optimism.
Highlights
The work of a paramedic involves providing assistance to people whose health or life is in danger, which means that members of this professional group are likely to experience extreme stress
With respect to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), coping style focused on emotions was the first variable added to the regression equation, followed by: avoidance, active coping, and dispositional optimism
Dispositional optimism as a moderator of relation between PTSD general index and coping style focused on emotions a number of voivodships
Summary
The work of a paramedic involves providing assistance to people whose health or life is in danger, which means that members of this professional group are likely to experience extreme stress. Results available to date identify a number of stress factors typically observed in the professional group of paramedics. These are related to the burden of responsibility for other people’s lives and safety, to frequently witnessing patients in situations where their life or health is gravely threatened and, to the dangers of the work itself [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. A separate question raised in the present study concerned the degree to which work under conditions of severe stress can pose an actual threat of developing post-traumatic stress disorder
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