Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder and the effect of explanatory variables in paramedic trainees
Date
2014-04
Authors
Fjeldheim, Celine B.
Nothling, Jani
Pretorius, Karin
Basson, Marina
Ganasen, Keith
Heneke, Robin
Cloete, Karen J.
Seedat, Soraya
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Abstract Background: Emergency healthcare workers, including trainees and individuals in related occupations are at
heightened risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression owing to work-related stressors.
We aimed to investigate the type, frequency, and severity of direct trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress
symptoms and other psychopathology amongst paramedic trainees. In order to create a risk profile for individuals
who are at higher occupational risk of developing PTSD, we examined risk and resilience factors that possibly
contributed to the presence and severity of posttraumatic symptomatology.
Methods: Paramedic trainees (n = 131) were recruited from a local university. A logistic regression analysis was
conducted using the explanatory variables age, gender, population group, trauma exposure, depression, alcohol
abuse, alcohol dependence, resilience and social support.
Results: 94% of paramedic trainees had directly experienced trauma, with 16% meeting PTSD criteria. A high rate
of depression (28%), alcohol abuse (23%) and chronic perceived stress (7%) and low levels of social support was
found. The number of previous trauma exposures, depression, resilience and social support significantly predicted
PTSD status and depression had a mediating effect.
Conclusion: There is a need for efficient, ongoing screening of depressive and PTSD symptomatology in trauma
exposed high risk groups so that early psychological supportive interventions can be offered.
Background
Emergency healthcare workers, including trainees and individuals in related occupations are at heightened risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression owing to work-related stressors.
We aimed to investigate the type, frequency, and severity of direct trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress symptoms and other psychopathology amongst paramedic trainees. In order to create a risk profile for individuals who are at higher occupational risk of developing PTSD, we examined risk and resilience factors that possibly contributed to the presence and severity of posttraumatic symptomatology.
Methods
Paramedic trainees (n = 131) were recruited from a local university. A logistic regression analysis was conducted using the explanatory variables age, gender, population group, trauma exposure, depression, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, resilience and social support.
Results
94% of paramedic trainees had directly experienced trauma, with 16% meeting PTSD criteria. A high rate of depression (28%), alcohol abuse (23%) and chronic perceived stress (7%) and low levels of social support was found. The number of previous trauma exposures, depression, resilience and social support significantly predicted PTSD status and depression had a mediating effect.
Conclusion
There is a need for efficient, ongoing screening of depressive and PTSD symptomatology in trauma exposed high risk groups so that early psychological supportive interventions can be offered.
Description
Fjeldheim, C. B. et al. Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder and the effect of explanatory variables in paramedic trainees. BMC Emergency Medicine, 14(1):11, doi:10.1186/1471-227X-14-11.
The original publication is available at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/14/11
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/14/11
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Posttraumatic stress disorder, Emergency medical technicians -- Psychology
Citation
Fjeldheim, C. B. et al. Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder and the effect of explanatory variables in paramedic trainees. BMC Emergency Medicine, 14(1):11, doi:10.1186/1471-227X-14-11.