The Relationship between Stress, Burnout, and Mindfulness among Firefighters

Abstract

Previous research indicates that majority of firefighters suffer from some level of stress and burnout. Stress is the mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. Unaddressed stress leads to occupational burnout and other severe stress conditions. Firefighters are offered limited prevention measures to decrease stress related symptoms. This quantitative, correlational study investigated whether a statistically significant relationship exists between levels of stress, burnout, and mindfulness among United States firefighters who were members of an online firefighter forum. Stress was measured using Perceived Stress Scale-10. Burnout was measured using Maslach’s Burnout Inventory-HSS, with three factors (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). Mindfulness was measured using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient test was used for all four hypotheses (n = 117). The first, second and third null hypotheses were rejected revealing a significant negative relationship between Perceived Stress and Mindfulness, Emotional Exhaustion and Mindfulness, and Depersonalization and Mindfulness. The null hypothesis for research question four was rejected because of a significant positive relationship between the Personal Accomplishment and Mindfulness. These findings expand scientific knowledge about firefighters and levels of stress, burnout and mindfulness. The current study confirms prior research that found similar relationships between stress, burnout, and mindfulness among other first responder professions. Further research could explore the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction interventions for firefighters specifically.