Predictors of problem focused coping style amongst international paramedic students

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Predictors of problem focused coping style amongst international paramedic students

Predictors of problem focused coping style amongst international paramedic students.

NameCourseCourse instructorDate of submissionAbstractBackground

Paramedicine is among the professions whose practitioners suffer high risks of stress and associated symptoms. Extensive studies have been carried out on the effects of these stress factors on the paramedics. The need for pre service training on stress management is a factor that has been widely discussed. The current study aimed at identifying the stress predictors among international students training as paramedics and the different coping mechanisms that they adopt.

Methods

The research took a quantitive approach and used a questionnaire as the main avenue for data collection. The questionnaire was composed of closed ended questions with choices structured on the Licker scale and a Yes/No type of collection. A cross sectional sample was targeted for the survey. A total of 30 respondents were interviewed for the survey.

Results

Computer software (SPSS Version 16) was used to analyse the data for both descriptive and statistical results. The data was presented in tabular and statistical formats. The analysis of the data showed a correlation between predictors and stress levels among the international paramedicine students.

Conclusion

The study concluded that just like other members of the paramedic profession, students in paramedicine are also prone to work related stress. It was recommended that measures be put in place to reduce these stress levels and increase job satisfaction. The study further recommends further research on ways and means of reducing the effects of exposure to the trauma that paramedicine students suffer in the course of training and practice.

IntroductionParticipants and Sampling

The population was a random selection of 100 international paramedic students who were given an opportunity to participate and form this it was hoped that 6-10 participants will make up the survey. A clustering technique was used so as to offer a notification to participate in several meetings as it is impossible to ascertain a sample without a list (Creswell 2009). Since surveys were handed out to only those who were international paramedic students and were available to participate it was a convenience sample (Babbie 1990, in Creswell 2009). Convenience sampling involves picking respondents from among those who are easily available, this helps ease the rigours involved in searching for respondents from a large sample. The major shortcoming of this approach though is that the data collected might not be representative of the whole population (Creswell 2009). There was no stratification, only male participants were invited to participate (Creswell 2009). With 100 surveys and an estimated 10% response sample the calculated margin of error is 4.9% with a confidence rating of 90% (Relevant Insights 2012).

Data Collection

Data collection was done from the self-administered questionnaires (Appendix 1) that were designed using a five point Likert scales, multiple choice and yes/no questions this enables participants to rank responses (Huck 2008). The questions were closed and answers were from a limited population that enabled generalization of findings for comparison (Creswell 2009). I was able to make estimates of attributes from a small group and thereby, make assertions about a larger population (Fowler 1998; Babbie 1990, in Charema 2004). From this it was possible to make generalisations about behavioural characteristics of the population.

The survey was sectionalised first section addressed demographic information, the second discussed experience and the third directly as to stress predictors. The researcher looked at previous studies in the field of job related stress for paramedics and narrowed down the questions from these studies to suit his research question and hypotheses. The researcher was fortunate to have had the input of the course supervisor who has also written extensively on the topic of job stress previously. The quantitative data collected from the questionnaires was time efficient and enabled the researcher to rapidly turn around the data and evaluate the information to publish findings (Creswell 2009).

Data analysisThe data collected was descriptively and statistically analyzed. Descriptive analysis involves analyzing the data according to demographic characteristics such as age, year of study and number of years in the paramedic profession. This descriptive data was then presented in terms of tables, graphs and charts. Electronic means for data analysis and in particular statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used to analyze the statistical aspect of the data and to test the hypotheses.

Ethical Implications

All ethical considerations as stipulated for researchers were upheld to the best knowledge of the researcher, no participant were exposed to risk; the requirement for anonymity was foremost in these considerations. To this end, the respondents were not required to write their names on the questionnaires, for the sake of analysis; the questionnaires had unique identification numbers. The data collection was done on the basis of informed consent and the researcher went to great lengths to explain the purpose of the study and the use(s) of the data collected thereof (Creswell, 2009). The questionnaire was given out together with an introduction letter from the supervisor detailing the commissioning of the study and a consent form (Appendix 2) for the respondents to sign. The research proposal was reviewed and approved as was the methodology and a verbal script to introduce the researcher and his research topic was prepared (Creswell 2009). Since no identity information were collected all confidentiality will preserved no data were falsely manipulated to influence the findings (Creswell 2009). The respondents were also informed of their right to discontinue or withdraw from the research either before or during the filling of the forms and the right to omit any question they felt uncomfortable answering. (Fowler 2008). Measures to ensure that the questionnaires could not be identified from one another were also put in place to protect respondents from any attempts to identify their responses once collected.

Results

1.0 Descriptive statistics for demographic variables

The overall study utilized a convenience sample of 30 international students. All the participants (100%) were currently enrolled in the bachelor’s level of education. Table 1 presents the demographic characteristics of the sample participants.

TABLE 1

A summary of the demographic characteristics of the participants

Frequency Percent Valid Percent

Age

<22 years 1 3.3 3.3 22-25 years 1 3.3 3.3 25-30 years 10 33.3 33.3 30-35 years 17 56.7 56.7 >35 years 1 3.3 3.3

Education level

Bachelors 30 100.0 100.0

Education year for Bachelors’

1st year 5 16.7 16.7

2nd year 17 56.7 56.7

3rd year 8 26.7 26.7

A majority of the study participants were aged between 25 and 35 years. Notably, there were few participants (3.3%) in the age categories <25 years and >35 years.

2.0 Preliminary results for the main study outcomes

The present study was aimed at identifying the factors (predictor variables) that contribute to pre-service stress amongst international paramedic students. Five main outcome variables were identified and the descriptive results are as summarized in table 2.

TABLE 2

Descriptive statistics for the main outcome variables

Frequency Valid Percent

How much paramedic experience do you have?

2 years 5 17.2

1-5 years 8 27.6

5-10 years 12 41.4

>10 years 4 13.8

What degree of control do you have at work?

Rarely 3 10.0

50/50 9 30.0

Occasionally 11 36.7

Always 7 23.3

What is the level of support you receive from co-workers/fellow students?

Never 1 3.3

Rarely 5 16.7

Occasionally 9 30.0

Sometimes 11 36.7

almost always 4 13.3

What is the level of support you receive from supervisors/teachers?

Never 2 6.9

Rarely 2 6.9

Occasionally 7 24.1

Sometimes 12 41.4

almost always 6 20.7

Is there organizational support?

Yes 19 63.3

No 11 36.7

The results indicate that a majority of the study participants, 41.4%, had 5-10 years of paramedic experience. However, only a minor proportion of the participants, 13.8%, had more than 10 years of paramedic experience. Just over one third (36.7%), affirm that they occasionally have control at work. Notably, only a minor proportion, 10%, indicated that they rarely have control at work. On the other hand, the results indicate that co-workers and fellow students provide a great level of support to the study participants. More than one third (36.7%) of participants, indicated that they sometimes provide support while 30% indicated that they occasionally provide support. Only a minor proportion, 3%, indicated that they never provide support.

In addition, supervisors and teachers provide an equally great level of support to the participants. A majority, 41.4%, indicated that they sometimes provide support. Similarly, large proportions of the participants, 24.1% and 20.7%, indicate that supervisors and teachers occasionally and almost always provide support respectively. Essentially, a majority of the study participants, 63.3%, affirm that there is organizational support (Table 2).

TABLE 2

Descriptive statistics for the main outcome variables

Frequency Valid Percent

How much paramedic experience do you have? 2 years 5 17.2

1-5 years 8 27.6

5-10 years 12 41.4

>10 years 4 13.8

What degree of control do you have at work? rarely 3 10.0

50/50 9 30.0

occasionally 11 36.7

Always 7 23.3

What is the level of support you receive from co-workers/fellow students? Never 1 3.3

Rarely 5 16.7

Occasionally 9 30.0

Sometimes 11 36.7

almost always 4 13.3

What is the level of support you receive from supervisors/teachers? Never 2 6.9

Rarely 2 6.9

Occasionally 7 24.1

Sometimes 12 41.4

almost always 6 20.7

Is there organizational support? Yes 19 63.3

No 11 36.7

Hypothesis Tests (See table 1 in the Appendix)

Degree control versus stress levels

Correlation results indicate a lack of a statistically significant relationship between stress levels and degree of control (rho = 0.078, P = 0.688).

Level of support from workmates versus stress levels

The results for non-parametric correlation (Spearman’s Rho) indicate that there is no significant relationship between levels of stress and levels of support from workmates, rho = 0.213, P = 0.268.

Level of support from supervisors versus stress levels

There is no significant relationship between stress levels and levels of support from supervisors as indicated by non-parametric results, rho = -0.022, P = 0.910.

Organizational support versus stress levels

Similarly, there is no statistically significant relationship between stress levels and organizational support, rho = -0.032, P = 0.868.

Reference List

Alexander, D & Klein, S 2001, ‘Ambulance personnel and critical incidents’, British journal of Psychiatry, vol.178, pp.76-81.

Bennett, P, Williams, Y, Page, N, Hood, K & Woollard, M 2004, ‘Levels of Mental Health Problems among UK Emergency Ambulance Workers’, Emergency Medicine Journal, vol.21, pp.235-236.

Blau, G, Chapman, S & Gibson, G 2011, ‘Exploring the Importance of Different Items as Reasons for Leaving Emergency Medical Services Between Fully Compensated, Partially Compensated, and Non-Compensated/Volunteer Samples’, Journal of Allied Health, vol. 40, no. 3, pp.e33-e37.

Blumenfield, M, & Byrne, D 1997, ‘Development of Posttraumatic stress disorder in urban Emergency medical Service workers’, Medscape Mental Health e-Journal, vol.2, no.9.

Boudreaux, E, Mandry, C & Brentley, P 1997, ‘Stress, job satisfaction, coping, and psychological distress among emergency medical technicians’, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, vol.12, vol. 4, pp.242-249.

Bryman, A., and Cramer, D. (2008), Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS 14, 15, 16, Routledge, London.

Charema, J 2004, ‘Methodology of the study’, University of Pretoria’, viewed 6 September 2012, < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-09102004-085900/unrestricted/03chapter3.pdf>.

Clohessy, S & Ehlers, A 1999, ‘PTSD symptoms, response to intrusive memories and coping in ambulance service workers’, British Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol.38, pp.251-265.

LeBlanc, V, MacDonald, R, McArthur, B, King, K, & Lepine, T 2005, ‘Paramedic Performance in Calculating Drug Dosages Following Stressful Scenarios, Prehospital Emergency Care, vol.9, no.4, pp.439-444.

McFarlane, A, Williamson, P & Barton, C 2009, ‘The Impact of Traumatic Stressors in Civilian Occupational Settings’, Journal of Public Health Policy, vol.30, no.3, pp.311-327.

Robinson, R 2002, ‘Follow-up Study of Health and Stress in Ambulance Services of

Victoria, Australia, Victorian Ambulance Crisis Counseling Unit, Report 1, pp.1-54.

Vettor, S & Kosninski, F 2000, ‘Work-stress burnout in emergency medical technicians and the use of early recollections’, Journal of Employment Counseling, vol. 37, no.4, pp.216-228.

Appendix

TABLE 1. Non-Parametric Correlations (Spearman’s Rho)

Correlations Have you ever suffered stress associated with being an international paramedic student? What degree of control do you have at work? What is the level of support you receive from co-workers/ fellow students? What is the level of support you receive from supervisors/ teachers? Is there organisational support?

Spearman’s rho Have you ever suffered stress associated with being an international paramedic student? Correlation Coefficient 1.000 .078 .213 -.022 -.032

Sig. (2-tailed) . .688 .268 .910 .868

N 29 29 29 28 29

What degree of control do you have at work? Correlation Coefficient .078 1.000 .547** .143 .080

Sig. (2-tailed) .688 . .002 .459 .676

N 29 30 30 29 30

What is the level of support you receive from co-workers/fellow students? Correlation Coefficient .213 .547** 1.000 .484** -.046

Sig. (2-tailed) .268 .002 . .008 .810

N 29 30 30 29 30

What is the level of support you receive from supervisors/teachers? Correlation Coefficient -.022 .143 .484** 1.000 -.406*

Sig. (2-tailed) .910 .459 .008 . .029

N 28 29 29 29 29

Is there organisational support? Correlation Coefficient -.032 .080 -.046 -.406* 1.000

Sig. (2-tailed) .868 .676 .810 .029 .

N 29 30 30 29 30

**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). *. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

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