The impact of trauma exposure on the cognitive schemas of a sample of paramedics.

This study examines disruptions in cognitive schemas (i.e., core beliefs about self, others, and the world) among a sample of paramedics. Two hundred fifty-three paramedics working in non-urban and urban settings completed measures of non-work and work-related negative life event and trauma exposure, perceived social support, and cognitive schemas. Forty percent of the respondents experienced at least one disrupted schema and 18 percent had disrupted beliefs about the meaningfulness of the world. Urban paramedics experienced greater disruption in cognitive schemas, particularly with Other-Safety beliefs. The degree of disruption in schemas was independently associated with the extent of non-work and work-related negative life event and trauma exposure, as well as perceived social support. These findings suggest the importance of investigating disruptions of schemas as a posttraumatic sequela among emergency medical personnel.