TY - JOUR T1 - Cognitive appraisals, objectivity and coping in ambulance workers: a pilot study JF - Emergency Medicine Journal JO - Emerg Med J SP - 41 LP - 44 DO - 10.1136/emermed-2011-200511 VL - 31 IS - 1 AU - Laura Shepherd AU - Jennifer Wild Y1 - 2014/01/01 UR - http://emj.bmj.com/content/31/1/41.abstract N2 - 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. ER -