Lotto, R, Mercer, J and Morgan, D (2024) A qualitative exploration of the views of paramedics regarding the use of dark humour. British Paramedic Journal, 9 (3). pp. 37-43.
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Abstract
Background: Dark humour, often known as black comedy or gallows humour, is a distinct kind of humour that explores subjects that are generally taboo or uncomfortable. Identifying the function and impact of black humour is important given the prevalence of life-or-death situations, crucial clinical judgements, and emotionally charged situations in the pre-hospital environment. Aims: The primary aim is to investigate the world of dark humour within the setting of seasoned paramedics. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed. Ten paramedics with over 24 months experience, were recruited via word of mouth and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were identified, the perceptions of dark humour from the public, students, and colleagues; the use of dark humour in building resilience and improving perseverance; the negatives of prolonged use to mental health; and finally, the benefits of humour use to develop camaraderie within the ambulance service. Conclusion: The study explored the views of a small sample of paramedics on this subject. Dark humour was identified as both a beneficial coping mechanism for resilience and a means of fostering camaraderie. Conversely, the chronic reliance on dark humour can have negative mental health implications. Utilising the usage of coping mechanisms such as dark humour as a yardstick to measure mental well-being could be an important first step in adopting a more holistic approach to mental health within the paramedic community.
Item Type: | Article |
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Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RT Nursing |
Divisions: | Nursing and Advanced Practice |
Publisher: | The College of Paramedics |
SWORD Depositor: | A Symplectic |
Date Deposited: | 05 Aug 2024 11:46 |
Last Modified: | 18 Dec 2024 14:45 |
DOI or ID number: | 10.29045/14784726.2024.12.9.3.37 |
URI: | https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/23874 |
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