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Personality, Coping and Posttraumatic Growth in Emergency Ambulance Personnel

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: Inherent in emergency service work is a relatively high level of exposure to potentially traumatic experiences. Traditionally, research has examined the negative or pathological effects that trauma may have on individuals, as well as variables that are proposed to influence post-trauma outcomes, for example, personality, coping, organisational and demographic factors. In recent years, empirical post-trauma research has broadened its scope to investigate positive changes that may also occur following the experience of a traumatic event. This study examines personality and coping variables in relation to levels of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in emergency ambulance personnel (N = 526). Correlations revealed that extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and coping levels significantly relate to perceptions of PTG. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the relationship between personality and PTG is largely mediated by levels of coping. Implications of the research include the tailoring of intervention strategies to differing personalities rather than according to the nature of the event itself.

Source: Traumatology An International Journal

DOI: 10.1177/153476560501100410

Authors: Jane Shakespeare-Finch, Kathryn Gow, Sandy Smith

Institutions: University of Tasmania, Queensland University of Technology, University of Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Queensland Ambulance Service