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 zagrozenia 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 tics was measured using Skala wiezi spolecznych (The Social
Ties Scale) by Skarzynska. Results: A negative relationship was observed between the
feeling of threat and the level of the experienced stress. The sense of social tics
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 arc 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.
