Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Derek Rohde
Abstract
Emergency dispatchers in the United States are exposed to traumatic events, which may lead to a staffing shortage. Though it is well-established that decreased job satisfaction increases turnover intentions, little research investigates whether trauma impacts these constructs. Therefore, this quantitative non-experimental study was focused on whether education was a protective factor against posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and whether trauma moderated the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention among emergency dispatchers. The relationship between vicarious trauma (VT) and PTSD among dispatchers was examined, and whether it is possible to predict PTSD among dispatchers based on VT, education level, and job satisfaction. The cognitive model of PTSD and the constructivist self-development theory was the theoretical foundation. Linear and multiple regression analyses were used to build a foundational understanding of trauma’s impact on dispatchers. Results for research questions 5 and 6 were statistically significant, indicating a relationship between PTSD and VT and that VT and job satisfaction predict the existence of PTSD among emergency dispatchers. The knowledge gained from this study may promote positive social change by helping employers reduce turnover rates, decrease wait times for callers experiencing life-threatening emergencies, and increase the quality of emergency services provided to the public.
Recommended Citation
Johnston, Sherrie, "Impact of Trauma on Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention Among Emergency Dispatchers" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13019.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13019
