Examining psychic consequences in firefighters exposed to stress

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Psychology
• Psychological Assessment
• Emergency Services Research

Background:

• Firefighters face unique occupational stressors.
• Understanding the psychological profile of firefighters is crucial for their well-being and performance.
• Previous research indicates varying psychological impacts of firefighting on personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the psychological state of firefighters in Littoral Mountainous County, Croatia.
• To investigate stress, anxiety, and depression levels in professional and volunteer firefighters.
• To determine if occupational demands influence firefighters' psychological well-being.

Main Methods:

• Psychometric testing of 178 firefighters using validated scales: Cohen Stress Perception Scale (PSS 10), COPE questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI X1 and X2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
• Data analyzed from three groups: city professionals, suburban professionals, and suburban volunteers.
• Statistical analysis to compare psychological scores across different firefighter groups.

Main Results:

• Firefighters reported no significant negative effects of stress.
• Slight situational anxiety was noted in city firefighters; medium trait anxiety was prevalent across all groups.
• Firefighters exhibited problem-oriented coping, occasional need for social support, and avoidance coping tendencies.
• Depression levels were significantly lower than in the general population, considered negligible.

Conclusions:

• Firefighters' psychological resilience is notable, with manageable anxiety levels.
• "Working anxiety" as a personality trait appears to be a functional asset for high-stress environments.
• Interventions should focus on reinforcing coping mechanisms and addressing specific anxiety traits in firefighters.