PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Laura Shepherd
AU  - Jennifer Wild
TI  - Cognitive appraisals, objectivity and coping in ambulance workers: a pilot study
AID  - 10.1136/emermed-2011-200511
DP  - 2014 Jan 01
TA  - Emergency Medicine Journal
PG  - 41--44
VI  - 31
IP  - 1
4099  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/31/1/41.short
4100  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/31/1/41.full
SO  - Emerg Med J2014 Jan 01; 31
AB  - Objectives Ambulance workers are regularly exposed to call-outs, which are potentially psychologically traumatic. The ability to remain objective and make adaptive appraisals during call-outs may be beneficial to this at-risk population. This pilot study investigated the links between cognitive appraisals, objectivity and coping in ambulance workers. Methods Forty-five ambulance workers from the London Ambulance Service, UK, were studied. Trauma exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms were assessed using self-report measures. Positive and negative appraisals were measured in relation to two previous call-outs: one during which they coped well and one during which they did not. Results Enhanced coping was associated with making more positive appraisals during the call-out. Better coping was also related to greater levels of objectivity during these call-outs. Coping less well was associated with the use of more negative appraisals during the call-out. Conclusions Ambulance workers may benefit from psychological interventions, which focus on cognitive reappraisal and enhancing objectivity to improve coping and resilience.