Psychological well-Being and depression in Ambulance drivers

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to understand the role of depression and psychological well being in ambulance driving experience, while dealing with the day to day aspects of their work. For this puipose a descriptive research was carried focusing on the correlation between the main variables of ambulance driving experience, psychological wellbeing and depression. The total sample of 55 male ambulance drivers is between the ages of 20 to 60. Through convenient sampling 36 participants were approached who were from Edhi Foundation and 19 from other different welfare organizations. Data collection was completed through a consent form, demographic form, Urdu version of Siddiqui Shah Depression Scale (Salma Siddiqui,1992) and Ryff s Scale of Psychological Well-being (Ryff, 1987). It was hypothesized that there would be a significant relationship between ambulance driving experience, psychological wellbeing and depression among ambulance drivers. Pearson correlation value is at r = 0.209, p>0.05 for Depression and experience; r = -0.131, p>0.05 for experience and psychological well being; and r = -0.250 for depression and well-being. After analysis of the result it was revealed that no significant relationship exists on the whole, while weak and negative correlation exists between Experience and Psychological well-being and weak positive relation exists between Depression and Experience. The results carry implications for the use of psychological interventions focusing on the psychological well being of ambulance drivers especially those with more expertise in the field. While the correlation is weak, nevertheless it does exist indicating the need for such interventions. This is of use for clinicians and in hospitals settings so that personnel needs are catered to.