2015/09/25 by Fani Katsavouni, F. Katsavouni, Evangelos Bebetsos +5
Health Professions · Psychology · #Occupational Health and Performance #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research #Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
paper · doi:10.1093/occmed/kqv144
openalex publication_date 2015/09/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
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.