Sources of stress and work satisfaction, post-traumatic stress reactions and coping strategies in professional firefighters

Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati izvore stresa i zadovoljstva na poslu profesionalnih vatrogasaca zaposlenih u Javnoj vatrogasnoj postrojbi Grada Zagreba kao i izraženost posttraumatskih stresnih reakcija i načina suočavanja sa stresom. Obuhvaćeno je pet vatrogasnih postaja i ukupno 240 sudionika muškog spola. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja konstruirani su Upitnik izvora stresa na poslu i Upitnik izvora zadovoljstva na poslu kojima su pridruženi Lista označavanja posttraumatskih stresnih reakcija – verzija za civile (PCL-C) i Upitnik suočavanja sa stresom (COPE). Utvrđeno je da prisutnost djece kao unesrećenih u vatrogasnim intervencijama predstavlja najjači izvor stresa dok se glavni izvor zadovoljstva odnosi na mogućnost pomaganja ljudima. Ukupan udio sudionika koji je zadovoljio kriterije za PTSP iznosi 8.4%. Sudionici najčešće odabiru strategije suočavanja usmjerene na problem dok se podrška obitelji i kolega ističu kao najznačajnije u nošenju sa stresom. Utvrđene su razlike u procjenama stresnosti pojedinih aspekata posla i izraženosti posttraumatskih stresnih reakcija s obzirom na percepciju međuovisnosti posla i psihičkog zdravlja te procjenu korisnosti mogućeg razgovora s psihologom. Također, sudionici koji više koriste izbjegavanje kao uobičajenu strategiju suočavanja i koji nisu zadovoljni količinom dobivene podrške od obitelji imaju izraženije simptome PTSP-a. Zaključno, rezultati provedenog istraživanja upućuju na potrebu uvođenja psihološke podrške nakon zahtjevnijih vatrogasnih intervencija.The aim of this research was to investigate the sources of stress and satisfaction with work in professional firefighters employed in the City of Zagreb public fire brigade, as well as post-traumatic stress reactions and the coping strategies. Five fire-departments with total of 240 male participants were included in research. Questionnaire about sources of stress at work and Questionnaire about sources of work satisfaction were constructed for the purpose of this research, to which were added PTSD Checklist – civilian version (PCL-C) and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE). It was determined that involvement of children victims in fire interventions represents strongest source of stress while possibility of helping people represents major cause of satisfaction. The total number of participants who fulfilled the criteria for PTSD reached 8.4%. Most often, the participants prefered problem oriented coping strategies, while the support of family and colleagues was emphesized as the most important in coping with stress. Differences were determined in stressfulness of particular aspects of work and psychical health as well as usefullness of possible sessions with psychologist. In addition, participants who were inclined to use avoidance as default coping strategy and those who were not satisfied with amount of family support showed more conspicuous symptoms of PTSD. Obtained results point out to the necessity for psychological support after major firefighting interventions