Antecedents of Emergency Medical Service High-Risk Behaviors: Drinking and Not Wearing a Seat Belt

A repeat-respondent complete sample of 345 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals was used to investigate demographic, situational, and work attitude antecedents of two risk behaviors: drinking and not wearing a seat belt. Reliable scales were used for measuring each behavior. Significant results included drinking was associated with being male and single, whereas being male resulted in lower seat belt use. Greater work absences in the past year and lower normative occupational commitment were associated with higher drinking, whereas lower job satisfaction and perceived limited occupational alternatives were associated with not wearing one's seat belt. Limitations and future research issues are discussed.