Cognitive appraisals, objectivity and coping in ambulance workers: a pilot study.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.


 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.


 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.
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