A repeated measures investigation of post-traumatic stress symptoms among Australian paramedics over six weeks

Abstract

Background

Paramedics have a higher prevalence of probable post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population. However, some paramedics may experience significant distress and impairment on a daily or weekly basis while never meeting post-traumatic stress disorder diagnostic criteria, as post-traumatic stress reactions often resolve within days or weeks following potentially psychologically traumatic event exposure.

Objective

To evaluate post-traumatic stress symptom severity in a cohort of paramedics following exposure to a single potentially psychologically traumatic event (i.e., post-traumatic stress reaction strength) and following exposure to multiple events over time (i.e., post-traumatic stress overall), and examine how prior trauma history, frequency of event exposure, social support, and relationship satisfaction affect post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Methods

An observational repeated-measures study was used to evaluate post-traumatic stress symptoms among Australian paramedics. Participants completed an initial survey and six weekly repeated measures surveys. Data were analysed as a single group using descriptive and bivariate analysis.

Results

Thirty-one participants were included. A significant positive association was found between prior history and post-traumatic stress overall, but not post-traumatic stress reaction strength. Frequency of event exposure was significantly, independently associated with more post-traumatic stress overall and post-traumatic stress reaction strength. Neither social support nor relationship satisfaction were significantly associated with post-traumatic stress overall or post-traumatic stress reaction strength.

Conclusions

Prior trauma history and frequency of event exposure could increase paramedics’ risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress. However, findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating and further investigation is required to inform prevention, screening, and treatment strategies for managing paramedics’ post-traumatic stress.