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Cited by 224Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchOccupational Health and PerformanceOccupational Health and Burnout

Post-traumatic stress among Swedish ambulance personnel

Open access
Jonsson, A, Segesten, K, Mattsson, B·2003·Emergency Medicine Journal
DOI 10.1136/emj.20.1.79PMC PMC1726002
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Abstract

Objective: Emergency workers, including ambulance personnel, must cope with a variety of duty related stressors including traumatic incident exposures. Little is known about the variables that might be associated with post-traumatic stress symptom in high risk occupational groups such as ambulance personnel. This study investigated the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among Swedish ambulance personnel. Methods: To estimate the prevalence of trauma related disorders, a representative group of 362 ambulance personal from the county of Västra Götaland in Sweden was surveyed through use of a Swedish version of Antonovsky’s 13-item short version of Sense of Coherence Scale, to measure reactions to traumatic events two instruments were used, Impact of Event Scale (IES-15) and the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS-10). A total of 223 of the ambulance personnel reported that they had had experience of what they described as traumatic situations. Results: Of those who reported a traumatic situation 15.2% scored 31 or more on the IES-15 sub scale. Scores over 31 indicate a stress reaction with certain likelihood of post-traumatic disorder. On the PTSS-10 subscale 12.1% scored 5 or more, which indicates a relative strong reaction. The study indicates that lower sense of coherence predicts post-traumatic stress. Other predictors for the extent of traumatic stress were longer job experience, age, physical and psychological workload. Conclusions: The high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in ambulance personnel indicates an inability to cope with stress in daily work. The strong relation between post-traumatic stress and Sense of Coherence Scale may be useful in predicting vulnerability for post-traumatic symptoms among recently employed ambulance service personnel. To prevent or reduce the upcoming of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms it must be possible to take leave of absence, or for a longer or shorter time be transferred to non-emergency duties. This study presents a better understanding between post-traumatic stress and underlying factors among ambulance personnel.

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Authors
Jonsson, A., Segesten, K., & Mattsson, B.
Affiliations
  • University of Borås (SE)
  • University of Gothenburg (SE)
Venue
Emergency Medicine Journal
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2003-01
Volume
20
Issue
1
Pages
79-84
ISSN
  • 1351-0622 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-0205
  • 1472-0213
DOI
10.1136/emj.20.1.79
PMC
PMC1726002
OpenAlex
W1977270317
Cited by
224
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 13
FWCI
6.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Emergency Medicine Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Performance
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, ambulance personnel, emergency medical personnel, occupational stress, sense of coherence, prevalence, mental workload, work experience, stress coping
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Aged, Emergency Medical Technicians, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Sweden, Prevalence

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