Firefighter Stress and Mental Health: Introduction to the Special Issue

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed burgeoning interest and concern regarding the mental health of firefighters. This increased attention is due, in part, to research documenting higher rates of psychiatric problems, including depression, substance abuse, sleep disturbances, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicidality in fire rescue personnel compared to civilians. Similarly, the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (2014) has identified disturbingly elevated rates of physical health difficulties in firefighters, most notably high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, death due heart attacks, as well as different forms of cancer. Despite the heightened awareness of the mental and physical health challenges in this population, behavioral research specifically targeting firefighters is limited. With this is mind, we asked prominent researchers and clinicians working in this area to present results of their early investigative efforts in our Special Issue on “Behavioral Approaches with Firefighters”. In this Introduction, we provide brief summaries of the studies comprising the Issue. Articles in this issue address topics of sleep, PTSD, substance use, physical health concerns, and provide assessment and treatment considerations. A primary goal of the Issue is to stimulate further behavioral research with this group of deserving yet underserved first responders. Moreover, the Issue serves as a tribute to the men and women of the fire service who dedicate and risk their lives to serve their community.

What matters most? Network analysis of mental health, recovery experiences, sleep, and fatigue among career firefighters

“…Hence, the nature of their job may result in a lower level of psychological detachment. Second, we hypothesised that firefighters might also have a lower mental health status due to their job nature, in line with previous studies (Carleton et al., 2019; Van Hasselt et al., 2022). Therefore, this study employed a clinical tool for measuring mental health (i.e., CORE‐OM), rarely used in previous studies.…”

“…Furthermore, when responding to calls on duty, they must be extremely cautious and sometimes need to make immediate life‐critical decisions (Payne & Kinman, 2019). Therefore, their jobs consume their physical strength and mental energy, which might lead to negative psychological outcomes (Van Hasselt et al., 2022).…”

“…Firefighters are regularly exposed to potentially traumatic events such as severe injuries and direct experiences of actual or threatened death (Carleton et al., 2019; MacDermid et al., 2021). A wealth of empirical evidence has shown that firefighters experience more mental disorders than the general population (Carleton et al., 2019; Stanley et al., 2015; Van Hasselt et al., 2022). Hence, investigating potentially is vital.…”

The effect of cranial techniques on the heart rate variability response to psychological stress test in firefighter cadets

“…Excessive stress on the cardiovascular system among this group has led to sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) 5 . Participation in firefighting operations causes high levels of stress that negatively affect the cardiovascular system 6 , thus causing a risk of cardiovascular disease in this occupational group 7 . The occupation of a firefighter is fraught with cardiac autonomic activity and sleep disorders 8 .…”

The effect of cranial techniques on the heart rate variability response to psychological stress test in firefighter cadets

“…Excessive stress on the cardiovascular system among re ghters has led to sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) [30]. Participation in re ghting operations causes high levels of stress that negatively affect the cardiovascular system [31], thus causing a risk of cardiovascular disease in this occupational group [32]. The occupation of a re ghter is fraught with cardiac autonomic activity and sleep disorders [33].…”