Psychological trauma experienced by emergency medical service personnel and its effects on marital satisfaction in Capricorn District

Abstract

This study investigates the psychological trauma (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout) that is experienced by EMS personnel in their working environment and its effects on marital satisfaction. It is hypothesized that EMS personnel experience psychological trauma at their workplace and these trauma has a negative effects on marital satisfaction. The study was conducted in Capricorn district – Limpopo Province (South Africa). A total of 200 participants Male=152, Female=48, aged between 19 to 65 years and who are working with traumatized people. The measuring instruments that are utilized to measure psychological trauma and marital satisfaction are PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL-R III) and Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire for Older Persons (MSOFOP). The findings indicate that the majority of EMS personnel incur Secondary Traumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a result of their work. The findings also indicate that EMS personnel do not experience burnout at their workplace. Findings further show significant positive correlation between psychological trauma (secondary traumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder) and marital satisfaction. This implies that EMS personnel who are traumatized by helping as part of their work are dissatisfied with their marriage. The theoretical and clinical implications of these results were discussed