The relationship between burnout, PTSD symptoms and injuries in firefighters

Abstract

Background: Firefighters participate in activities with intense physical and psychological stress.

Aims: To examine the correlation between work-related injuries (WRIs), burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in firefighters.

Methods: The method used for the recording of the elements was the collection of self-report anonymous questionnaires, the completion of which was optional. The questionnaires used were: (i) a WRIs questionnaire, (ii) the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and (iii) the Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Greek version. Descriptive statistics along with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied.

Results: The study population consisted of 3289 firefighters. There was a significant association between WRIs, burnout syndrome, PTSD symptoms and age, work experience and physical condition. Relationships were found between PTSD symptoms, the MBI-emotional exhaustion dimension and WRIs and between MBI-depersonalization dimension and PTSD symptoms. The most traumatic event was the 'dealing with death or rescue of a child' and the top stress factor was 'depression about the responsibility for quality of victims' life'.

Conclusions: The occupational obligations may be responsible for the psychological and musculoskeletal problems experienced by firefighters. Early recognition and response to psychosomatic issues in firefighters is of high importance.

Keywords: Burnout; PTSD; firefighters; work-related injuries (WRIs)..