Emergency reaction : self-efficacy and problem-focused coping in stressful situations

In stressful situations people with high self-efficacy tend to use effective coping strategies (i.e., problem-focused coping). Persons who cope effectively with stress report fewer health problems. In high stress emergency situations, in which the general public has difficulty coping, emergency service personnel (EMS) are able to work effectively and this is likely due to the use of positive coping strategies (i.e., problem-focused) and high levels of self-efficacy. In this study, university students participated as a representation of the general public and their reactions to stressful situations were compared to the reactions of EMS personnel. In emergency and non-emergency situations EMS personnel and students reported similar positive coping reactions. Even though university students do not frequently experience high stress emergency situations they do cope with stress on a daily basis. This indicates that the ability to cope effectively with stress in general, enables a person to cope effectively in unfamiliar high stress emergency situations. All participants reported few stress related health problems and high levels of self-efficacy along with frequent use of problem-focused coping. This demonstrates the combination of self-efficacy and problem-focused coping is beneficial for coping with stress in a healthy way.