Aim of work: This research was done to assess the possibility of higher levels of psychosocial stressors and related hazards (burnout, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) among EMR compared to control group. Objective assessment of stress exposure was done through measuring levels of urinary cathecholamines. Methods: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted upon (140) emergency medical responders (EMR) and a matched control group composed of (140) non-emergency workers. The groups studied were interviewed using semi structured questionnaire
including sociodemographic data, job stressors, Malach burnout inventory (MBI),Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Davidson Trauma scale for PTSD. Urine cathecholamine levels were assessed in subsample of studied population. Results: The most severe acute stressors among EMR were dealing with traumatic events followed by dealing with serious accidents and young victims. Chronic stressors were more commonly reported among EMR compared to comparison group. EMR had higher prevalence of high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization compared to
comparative group. More than tenth of EMR had clinical level of PTSD compared to 3% only of comparison group. The mean levels of epinephrine and Nor epinephrine were significantly higher among EMR compared to comparative group. Conclusion: EMR had perceived dealing with traumatic events and serious accidents as the most severe
acute stressors. EMR group had higher prevalence of chronic work related stressors than comparative groups.EMR had higher levels of burnout and PTSD compared to control group. Depression was not statistically significant different between EMR and control group.