Exploring the Relationships between Encountering Potentially Traumatic Work Events, Coping, and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Saudi Paramedics: A Daily Diary Study

BACKGROUND: Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) suffer from high levels of trauma at work due to traumatic incidents they face each day. This study aimed to investigate the association between daily Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and daily incidents, coping styles and social support among Saudi ambulance personnel. METHODS: Utilizing a daily diary design, 63 Saudi paramedics completed the baseline questionnaire and 51 of them completed at least two shifts. The baseline measurements included Screen of Post-traumatic Stress Disorders Scale (SPTSS), PTSD Check-List-5 (PCL-5), Brief Coping scale (BC), and a social support scale. While the daily measurements included PCL-5, brief coping, social support and a list of incidents. RESULTS: Using hierarchical linear modelling, higher numbers of daily incidents were significantly associated with a greater number of daily PTSD symptoms. Coping styles and social support were not associated with daily PTSD symptoms, but passive coping was found to moderate the association between daily incidents and daily PTSD symptoms such that paramedics who reported higher passive coping levels were more vulnerable to experience higher PTSD symptoms on days they were exposed to potentially traumatic events. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulance organisations must do more to support paramedics during and after traumatic incident exposure by offering appropriate prevention and intervention programs.