Perceived stress and control in emergency workers

Introduction and objectives
By its very nature, emergencies involve high-risk situations. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between the stress generated and the degree of control perceived in emergency personnel with the variables of sex, age, level of studies, professional branch and seniority and, in turn, to compare these results with the data from the Inventory of Coping Responses in Adults (CRI-A) in the general Spanish population.

Material and methods
The study involved 120 professionals and volunteers from different civil and military institutions in the emergency area. A sociodemographic questionnaire was used, as well as the scale on stress and perceived control of the CRI-A Inventory through the mental representation of an extreme situation.

Results
None of the sociodemographic variables obtained significant differences in relation to the intensity of the stress generated. Regarding the degree of perceived control, men reported higher average scores than women. When comparing both samples, emergency personnel showed significant differences with respect to the Spanish population in general, with lower average scores in the level of stress and also in the degree of perceived control.

Conclusions
Given the controversy found in the literature regarding sex and the stress generated and degree of perceived control, the evidence shows differences in favor of men. Consequently, it is suggested that training in emotional management and risk perception be implemented. As for the differences found with respect to the general population, it is also suggested that education plans be established in emergencies.