A comparison of general and ambulance specific stressors: predictors of job satisfaction and health problems in a nationwide one-year follow-up study of Norwegian ambulance personnel

• Main Authors: Lau Bjørn, Hem Erlend, Sterud Tom, Ekeberg Øivind
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-03-01
• Series: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
• Online Access: http://www.occup-med.com/content/6/1/10

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To address the relative importance of general job-related stressors, ambulance specific stressors and individual characteristics in relation to job satisfaction and health complaints (emotional exhaustion, psychological distress and musculoskeletal pain) among ambulance personnel.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>A nationwide prospective questionnaire survey of ambulance personnel in operational duty at two time points (n = 1180 at baseline, T1 and n = 298 at one-year follow up, T2). The questionnaires included the Maslach Burnout Inventory, The Job Satisfaction Scale, Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-10), Job Stress Survey, the Norwegian Ambulance Stress Survey and the Basic Character Inventory.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, 42 out of the possible 56 correlations between job stressors at T1 and job satisfaction and health complaints at T2 were statistically significant. Lower <it>job satisfaction at T2 </it>was predicted by frequency of lack of leader support and severity of challenging job tasks. <it>Emotional exhaustion at T2 </it>was predicted by neuroticism, frequency of lack of support from leader, time pressure, and physical demands. Adjusted for T1 levels, emotional exhaustion was predicted by neuroticism (beta = 0.15, p < .05) and time pressure (beta = 0.14, p < 0.01). <it>Psychological distress at T2 </it>was predicted by neuroticism and lack of co-worker support. Adjusted for T1 levels, psychological distress was predicted by neuroticism (beta = 0.12, p < .05). <it>Musculoskeletal pain at T2 </it>was predicted by, higher age, neuroticism, lack of co-worker support and severity of physical demands. Adjusted for T1 levels, musculoskeletal pain was predicted neuroticism, and severity of physical demands (beta = 0.12, p < .05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Low job satisfaction at T2 was predicted by general work-related stressors, whereas health complaints at T2 were predicted by both general work-related stressors and ambulance specific stressors. The personality variable neuroticism predicted increased complaints across all health outcomes.</p>