Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological First Aid Self-Efficacy Among Paramedics and Paramedic Students

Objective:This study investigated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, specifically childhood abuse and neglect, and the self-efficacy of psychological first aid (PFA) among paramedics and paramedic students involved in emergency medical services. Method:This cross-sectional study comprised 204 participants, including 149 paramedic students and 55 practicing paramedics, from a province in Eastern Türkiye. Adverse childhood experiences related to abuse and neglect were evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), which assesses emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect. Additional data were gathered through a General Information Form and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.23, incorporating descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis H test, and Spearman ’srank correlation analysis. Results: Participants exhibited generally low levels of childhood trauma as measured by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and high levels of Psychological First Aid (PFA) self-efficacy. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between PFA self-efficacy and total CTQ scores (r = –0.271, p < 0.01). Significant negative correlations were also identified between PFA self-efficacy and CTQ sub-dimensions, including emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect (p < 0.05). Furthermore, participants with lower income levels demonstrated significantly higher CTQ scores compared to those with middle or high income levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Elevated levels of adverse childhood experiences, particularly in the neglect and abuse domains, were significantly associated with lower psychological first aid self-efficacy among emergency care personnel and students. These findings highlight the need for tailored psychosocial support interventions and trauma-informed educational programs in emergency medical training curricula.