Job Turnover of EMTs and Paramedics in the US: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence, Stress, Occupational Burnout, and Health

The demand for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals is increasing in the face of an unprecedented labor shortage and increasing voluntary turnover. This research project examines whether trait emotional intelligence (EI) is related to turnover intention among EMTs and paramedics. Few studies have explored affective factors, including trait emotional intelligence, relating to turnover intention among EMTs and paramedics. Key questions investigated are (1) the degree to which trait (EI) is predictive of turnover intention while controlling for other established predictors and (2) the extent to which the impact of EI is mediated by other well- known predictors of turnover intention including; perceived stress, mental health, and physical health. A convenience sample (n=446) was obtained through an online survey created with validated EI, turnover, stress and other instruments and distributed to EMS providers via agencies and online forums. Analytic methods include t-tests, Pearson correlations, linear regression, mediation, and moderation analysis. Higher trait EI was found to result in decreased turnover intention both at the global (r = -.31, p \u3c 0.001) and factor levels (Wellbeing, r = -.22, p\u3c 0.001; Self-Control r = -.19, p \u3c 0.001; Emotionality, r = -.35, p \u3c 0.001; Sociability, r = -.17, p \u3c 0.001). The relationship between trait EI and turnover intention was found, in mediation analysis, to occur both through perceived stress, (-.69)(.26) = -.18, and the Emotional Exhaustion component of occupational burnout (-.49)(.57) = -.28. Among the important implications of this study is trait EI should be included in discussions of job turnover of EMTs and paramedics, especially in human resource planning. In addition, it highlights that the mental and physical health of EMS providers deserves closer attention by researchers, policymakers and human resource managers