Mr Mark Layson1
1Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia, 2NSW Centre for Work Health and Safety, Sydney, Australia
Background: The leadership culture of emergency services is increasingly coming into focus regarding its impact on staff wellbeing. Military moral injury research reports links between the misuse of legitimate authority and increased psychological, emotional, and spiritual distress. The link between unsupportive leadership and worker distress has been less explored in ambulance services. The urgency to address leadership culture is being increased with the release of psychosocial risk regulations across Australia that sees poor leadership behaviour as a WHS risk. Adopting leadership models from other industries lowers validity in addressing unique stressors among paramedics.
Objective: The presentation reports on doctoral research that developed a bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework that helps first responder organisations address harmful leadership and cultural practices in primary preventative strategies.
Methods: Mixed methods utilised Bayesian Network analysis of survey data from 229 first responders, and narrative analysis of auto/biographies and interviews with 16 Australian first responders, along with a practical theological reflection. It operationalised practices that cause harm and then developed a holistic primary preventative framework.
Results: Quantitative analysis reported over 33% of participants perceived being betrayed by leaders or organisations over 50 times in their careers. Higher levels of distress were associated with betrayal than trauma exposure. Thematic analysis reported harm from organisational injustice, resourcing, lack of leadership support, and poor recognition and reward.
Conclusion: Nine leadership behaviours are recommended to prevent organisational stressors and represent the core of a shepherd leadership model that eliminates harm and helps organisations to comply with psychosocial hazard regulations.
Biography:
Mark is a former Police Officer, Firefighter, and a current Ambulance Chaplain. He has recently completed doctoral research at Charles Sturt University into moral injury and moral distress in emergency workers. The research explores the intersection of wellbeing and psychosocial to help organisations meet their obligations for staff safety.