Relation between resiliency and post-traumatic growth in a group of paramedics: The mediating role of coping strategies

Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2015;28(4):707-19. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00323.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the research is to investigate the mediating role of coping strategies for stress in the relation between resiliency and post-traumatic growth in a group of paramedics.

Material and methods: Data of 80 paramedics who have experienced traumatic event at their worksites was analyzed. The age range of the participants was 21-67 years old (mean: 35.47, standard deviation: 10.21). The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, the Assessment Resiliency Scale and Inventory to Measure Coping Strategies for Stress--Mini-Cope were used in the study.

Results: Venting of negative emotions and denial appeared as suppressors in analyzing the relation, while planning plays mediating role between resiliency and post-traumatic growth.

Conclusions: In the process of post-traumatic growth, both avoidance and problem-focused strategies are important. Moreover, controlling such strategies as Venting and Denial may result in a high level of posttraumatic growth in the study group. The data supports that resiliency may have direct or indirect impact on post-traumatic changes. The results allow to understand the mechanisms of resiliency better, that relationship with post-traumatic growth is ambiguous.

Keywords: coping; mediation; paramedics; post-traumatic growth; resiliency.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Allied Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey / epidemiology