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Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder and the effect of explanatory variables in paramedic trainees
Open accessAbstract
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.
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“In the trainee workforce of paramedics, Fjeldheim et al. (2014) noted 94% (n=131) had directly experienced trauma, with a high number meeting post-traumatic stress disorder criteria along with depression, alcohol abuse, and chronic perceived stress (Fjeldheim et al., 2014).”
From Understanding the Occupational Factors that Influence Paramedic Health and Wellbeing (2024) · cites this paper as Fjeldheim et al., 2014
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PARAMEDİK ÖĞRENCİLERİNDE İŞ SAĞLIĞI VE GÜVENLİĞİ BİLGİ DÜZEYLERİNİN ÖLÇÜLMESİ
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Metadata
- Authors
- Fjeldheim, C. B., Nöthling, J., Pretorius, K., Basson, M., Ganasen, K., Heneke, R., Cloete, K. J., & Seedat, S.
- Affiliations
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- University of South Africa (ZA)
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Seedat, Soraya
- Venue
- BMC Emergency Medicine
- Published
- 2014-04-23
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 11-11
- ISSN
- 1471-227X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4004503
- OpenAlex
- W2167572468
- Cited by
- 142
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 6.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Emergency Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Research Foundation
- Harry Crossley Foundation
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Occupational Health and Performance
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma exposure, depression, alcohol abuse, resilience, social support, occupational stress, emergency healthcare workers, PTSD risk factors, PTSD screening
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Alcoholism, Allied Health Personnel, Depression, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Occupational Diseases, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Risk Factors, Social Support, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Stress, Psychological, Risk Assessment, Resilience, Psychological, Young Adult
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