ORIGINAL PAPER
The feeling of threat and stress: the mediating role of social ties in the workplace on the example of the mine rescuer occupation
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Uniwersytet Śląski / University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland (Wydział Pedagogiki i Psychologii, Instytut Psychologii, Zakład Psychologii Pracy i Organizacji / Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology,
Institute of Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology Department)
Online publication date: 2019-05-09
Corresponding author
Marta Stasiła-Sieradzka
Uniwersytet Śląski, Wydział Pedagogiki
i Psychologii, Instytut Psychologii, Zakład Psychologii Pracy i Organizacji, ul. Grażyńskiego 53, 40-126 Katowice
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2019;70(3):295-304
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ABSTRACT
Background: Working in high-risk occupations is associated with the feeling of threat and stress. The aim of the research conducted
from December 2016 to May 2017 was to examine the relationship between these variables in the group of mine rescuers. It was
assumed that the quality of social ties with co-workers would act as a mediator of the assumed relationship. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 232 mine rescuers employed in emergency stations in Poland. The risk assessment at work was determined
using Kwestionariusz poczucia zagrożenia w pracy (The Feeling of Threat at Work Questionnaire) by Mamcarz; Kwestionariusz poczucia
stresu (The Feeling of Stress Questionnaire) by Plopa and Makarowski was used to study the feeling of stress, and the quality of social
ties was measured using Skala więzi społecznych (The Social Ties Scale) by Skarżyńska. Results: A negative relationship was observed
between the feeling of threat and the level of the experienced stress. The sense of social ties with co-workers acts as a mediator in
the relationship between these variables. Conclusions: Social ties reduce stress caused by the feeling of threat, and they are also an
important factor supporting the coping with negative emotions. The obtained results make it possible to present practical recommendations,
aimed mainly at strengthening the adaptation and integration activities in teams carrying out their tasks in hazardous
conditions. The authors of the study point out that these activities should concern primarily the following 3 areas: the adaptation of
new members of the group, the strengthening of positive relationships in teams, and support in a traumatic situation during convalescence.
Med Pr. 2019;70(3):295–304