What is it like being a partner of a paramedic? A longitudinal, mixed methods study
Tracks
Monarch Room - In Person Only
| Monday, March 2, 2026 |
| 1:40 PM - 2:10 PM |
| Monarch Room |
Overview
Matthew Hill, Central Queensland University & University Of The Sunshine Coast
Details
Three Key Learnings:
Paramedics share their work experiences with their intimate partners, which can negatively impact their partner’s daily life. Secondary traumatic stress symptoms among partners of paramedics can fluctuate over time. Partners of paramedics are a key source of support for paramedics, therefore clear mechanisms need to be in place to support partners of paramedics.
Paramedics share their work experiences with their intimate partners, which can negatively impact their partner’s daily life. Secondary traumatic stress symptoms among partners of paramedics can fluctuate over time. Partners of paramedics are a key source of support for paramedics, therefore clear mechanisms need to be in place to support partners of paramedics.
Speaker
Mr Matthew Hill
PhD Student (CQUniversity) & Lecturer in Paramedicine (UniSC)
Central Queensland University & University of the Sunshine Coast
What is it like being a partner of a paramedic? A longitudinal, mixed methods study
Presentation Overview
Introduction: Paramedics attend potentially psychologically traumatic events in their daily work, causing some paramedics to experience post-traumatic stress symptoms. Evidence suggests post-traumatic stress experienced by paramedics can crossover to their intimate partners in the form of secondary traumatic stress symptoms (STSS). Despite this, few studies have investigated STSS among partners of paramedics over time.
Aim: To quantify STSS experienced by partners of paramedics over time and explore what it is like to be a partner of a paramedic and the impact of paramedic work on couple functioning.
Methods: A retrospective mixed methods study with repeated measures explored the impact of paramedic work on intimate partners of paramedics. Participants were recruited and completed a baseline survey which measured prior lifetime traumatic event exposure, followed by a repeated measures survey that measured STSS weekly for six weeks. Participants who reported any STSS were invited to undertake a semi-structured interview administered concurrently at the final timepoint. Quantitative data were presented using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Twenty-three paramedic partners completed the repeated measures survey, with eight participating in interviews. All participants indicated their paramedic shared their work experiences with them, with 87% reporting that their partner’s work negatively impacted their daily life at least sometimes. While on average participants experienced little to no STSS during the study period, STSS fluctuated over time, with some participants experiencing severe STSS. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: (1) Paramedic work is pervasive, (2) Partners as informal counsellors, (3) Finding strength in the face of challenge, and (4) Silver linings.
Conclusion: Partners of paramedics are a key source of support for paramedics; however, paramedic work can have a substantial impact on paramedic partners. Therefore, further studies are required to examine how partners of paramedics cope, and to identify their support needs.
Aim: To quantify STSS experienced by partners of paramedics over time and explore what it is like to be a partner of a paramedic and the impact of paramedic work on couple functioning.
Methods: A retrospective mixed methods study with repeated measures explored the impact of paramedic work on intimate partners of paramedics. Participants were recruited and completed a baseline survey which measured prior lifetime traumatic event exposure, followed by a repeated measures survey that measured STSS weekly for six weeks. Participants who reported any STSS were invited to undertake a semi-structured interview administered concurrently at the final timepoint. Quantitative data were presented using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Twenty-three paramedic partners completed the repeated measures survey, with eight participating in interviews. All participants indicated their paramedic shared their work experiences with them, with 87% reporting that their partner’s work negatively impacted their daily life at least sometimes. While on average participants experienced little to no STSS during the study period, STSS fluctuated over time, with some participants experiencing severe STSS. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: (1) Paramedic work is pervasive, (2) Partners as informal counsellors, (3) Finding strength in the face of challenge, and (4) Silver linings.
Conclusion: Partners of paramedics are a key source of support for paramedics; however, paramedic work can have a substantial impact on paramedic partners. Therefore, further studies are required to examine how partners of paramedics cope, and to identify their support needs.
Biography
Matthew Hill is a registered paramedic and Lecturer in Paramedicine at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Matt has 10 years of clinical experience, during which time he worked as an Advanced Care Paramedic II, Critical Care Paramedic, and Critical Care Flight Paramedic. Matt’s research interests stem from his experience as a paramedic and Peer Support Officer, where he developed a keen interest in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and their families. Matt is currently undertaking his PhD at Central Queensland University, where he is exploring the impact of traumatic stress on paramedics and their intimate partners.
