Health outcomes of psychosocial stress within firefighters: A systematic review of the research landscape

Abstract

Background and Objectives Much of the research surrounding firefighter health has concerned the hazards intuitively associated with the occupation, such as physical, thermal, and chemical risks. However, an additional aspect of their work environment, psychosocial stressors, has begun to attract a growing level of attention. Work‐related psychosocial stress may best be described as mental and emotional strain caused by a combination of workplace events and characteristics, and the objective of our review was to identify the health outcomes associated with these stressors in firefighters. Methods A systematic review was performed of studies reporting on the psychosocial stressors and the associated health outcomes experienced by firefighters. Data sources included the MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and CINAHL databases. Results Twenty‐nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Upon analysis, we found that firefighters experienced a range of psychosocial stressors (including interpersonal conflict and concerns over organizational fairness) and observed that these stressors were associated with a number of health‐related outcomes that could be arranged into six areas: depression‐suicidality, non‐depressive mental health problems, burnout, alcohol use disorders, sleep quality, and physiological parameters and somatic disorders. Conclusion Our findings strongly suggest that work‐related psychosocial stressors can affect the health and well‐being of those in the fire service, and highlight that interventions meant to address these psychosocial risk factors should focus upon promoting self‐esteem, enhancing self‐efficacy, and strengthening social support.

The short form effort−reward imbalance: Measure of occupational stress for firefighters

“…1,2 Accordingly, occupational stress can have adverse effects on firefighters' health and well-being. 3 Previous epidemiological studies have shown that occupational stress is associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable chronic diseases 4 such as cardiovascular diseases, 5,6 musculoskeletal disorders, 7,8 mental health, 9,10 and adverse reproductive health outcomes. 11 The effort−reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire has been widely used to measure psychosocial work environments to identify occupational stress.…”

“…13 Occupational stress is a significant psychosocial aspect of work environment for firefighters. 3 Occupational health providers need easily applicable, valid, and simple measurements to access psychosocial stress among firefighters. Therefore, this study examined the psychometric properties of the S-ERI questionnaire with a sample of career firefighters in the United States.…”

“…Firefighting is one of the most hazardous and stressful occupations due to routine exposure to loud noise, smoke with toxic chemicals and particles, and unpredictable work situations 1,2 . Accordingly, occupational stress can have adverse effects on firefighters' health and well‐being 3 . Previous epidemiological studies have shown that occupational stress is associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable chronic diseases 4 such as cardiovascular diseases, 5,6 musculoskeletal disorders, 7,8 mental health, 9,10 and adverse reproductive health outcomes 11 …”

“…A short‐form ERI (S‐ERI) with 16 items (3 items for effort, 7 items for reward, and 6 items for overcommitment) was developed to provide economic and standardized measures of work stress in large‐scale studies 13 . Occupational stress is a significant psychosocial aspect of work environment for firefighters 3 . Occupational health providers need easily applicable, valid, and simple measurements to access psychosocial stress among firefighters.…”

Validação do questionário de saúde e performance para policiais e bombeiros militares (QSPM)

“…Policiais e bombeiros militares são responsáveis por ações de segurança pública e defesa civil em todo o mundo 1 . Existem cerca de 500 mil desses militares distribuídos em mais de 5.000 cidades brasileiras 2 e, ainda que o número crescente de estudos que avaliem as necessidades dos policiais e bombeiros [3][4][5][6][7] , é ínfima a quantidade de instrumentos válidos para esta finalidade. Principalmente no que tange às condições de saúde, demanda física e operacional, assim como as condições de trabalho.…”