Abstract
This study investigated the factors related to the perception of stress in EMT’s and paramedics. 144 EMTs and paramedics from urban “third service” EMS providers in Texas completed a questionnaire that included several demographic questions, Speilberger’s (1995) state-trait personality inventory (STPI), Sarason’s (1983) social support questionnaire, and Schwarzer’s (2000) general perceived self-efficacy scale. Six of the eight SPTI measures served as a measure of perceived stress. They were state and trait anxiety, state and trait anger, and state and trait depression. Education was negatively correlated with state anxiety (r=-0.274, p=0.001), state anger (r=-0.217, p=0.009), state depression (r=-0.231, p=0.006), and trait anxiety (r=-0.2058, p=0.014). Since years of education was related to stress and somewhat related to self-efficacy (r=0.17, p=0.042) a partial correlation procedure (controlled for years of education) was performed for self-efficacy (GPSES) and the stress variables. Self-efficacy was negatively correlated with state anxiety (r=-0.312, p=0.0001), state anger (r=-0.194, p=0.021), state depression (r=-0.339, p=0.0001), trait anxiety (r=-0.436, p=0.0001), and trait depression (r=-0.3762, p=0.0001). An analysis of variance was conducted to compare the means of the perceived stress variables for three job function groups (attendant basic or intermediate, attendant paramedic, and in-charge paramedic). Higher perceived stress was reported by both the attendant basic-intermediates and the in-charge paramedics (p
Highlights
Selye (1976) argues that the human body responds predictably to a perceived stress stimulus and the effects of this stress can be causal for many disease processes
Education, job responsibility, and self-efficacy are all factors that mitigate or exacerbate the effects of emergency medical services (EMS) stress. This investigation has demonstrated a weak relationship between years of college education and perceived stress
Some discussion can be made on the relationship of education, job function, and stress
Summary
Selye (1976) argues that the human body responds predictably to a perceived stress stimulus and the effects of this stress can be causal for many disease processes. The workplace is often an environment where repeated or long-term exposure to stressors occurs Certain occupations such as emergency medical services (EMS) contain higher than average stress inducing activities. Stress reactions such as burnout or illness are commonly seen in EMS professionals (Mitchell & Bray, 1990). This results in an increased need for worksite health promotion programs that address perceived stress. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics are required to make independent decisions that may determine the fate of a critically ill or injured person These decisions are often made in an environment that is less than perfect and possibly unsuitable. This decrease in performance can include medical errors and impacts highly experienced professionals (LeBlanc, MacDonald, & Lepine, 2004)
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