• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.151-156
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• 2014

Objective : The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship among job stress, depression, and suicidal ideation in firefighters, particularly the mediating effects of depression. Methods : The subjects were 2,136 firefighters in Gangwon-do, who completed the short form of Korean occupational stress scale (KOSS-SF), Korean version of the Beck depression inventory (K-BDI), and the revised scale for suicide ideation (SSI) online in mental health promotion service of firefighters. The data was analyzed with correlation analysis among the variables, and the multiple regression analysis method of Bar-on and Kenny (1986) was used. Results : Job stress showed positive correlations with depression (r=0.493, p <0.01) and suicidal ideation (r=0.296, p<0.01). Depression showed a positive correlation with suicidal ideation (r=0.561, p<0.01). The result of analyzing the mediating effect of depression showed that depression was a full mediator variable between job stress and suicidal ideation. Conclusion : Based on the results, it is very likely that job stress may affect suicidal ideation via depression. These results suggested that the preventive interventions emphasized on depression may be helpful for reduction of suicide in firefighters.

• 디지털산업정보학회논문지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.121-133
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• 2018

The goal of this study is to investigate the factors affecting firefighter's traumatic experiences and to examine and compare the differences of how those factors contribute to firefighter's burnout, depression, anxiety and social relationships. This study suggests that it is imperative for firefighters to have mindfulness, which brings mental and emotional healing, for their job-satisfaction. To empirically examine the research model of this study, the questionnaire survey was carried out to firefighters in InCheon Metropolitan City for two weeks; from October 19thto November 3rd, 2017. Out of 180 questionnaires, 170were retrieved. Total number of 160 questionnaires are empirically examined this study, excluding10bad survey responses. The t-test was conducted to determine whether there exist differences by gender among traumatic experienced firefighters, and a meaningful difference was found from perceived intrusiveness, a sub factor to traumatic experiences. Male firefighters showed higher mean than that of female firefighters in perceived angle, evasion and intrusiveness. Second, the t-test was conducted to determine whether there exist differences by gender in firefighter's burnout, but no meaningful differences were found. Female firefighters showed higher mean in emotional exhaustion, impersonalization and in decrease in self-achievements. Third, the t-test was conducted to determine whether there exist differences by gender in firefighter's depression and relationships, but no meaningful differences were found.

• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

Objective : This study aimed at investigating the relationship between exposure frequency of job related trauma types and the PTSD symptoms severity of firefighters, in relation to the moderating effect that anger rumination plays in the association between those of them. Methods : We examined data from 116 firefighters from Gyeonggi-do. The following instruments were applied: the Life Events Checklist (LEC), the Korean version of the Anger Rumination Scale (K-ARS) and the Primary Care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD). Results : A higher exposure frequency of job related trauma types was associated with severe PTSD symptoms; we discovered, however, that anger rumination exacerbated their relationship. Conclusion : This study showed that anger rumination is one of the variables to exacerbate PTSD symptoms in firefighters. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need to consider the level of anger rumination when running a program to predict or mitigate PTSD symptoms in firefighters.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.303-312
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• 2019

본 연구의 목적은 동료자살 이후 소방공무원이 경험하는 외상 후 성장의 의미체계와 과정을 기술하기 위함이다. 이를 위하여 상징적 상호작용주의에 바탕을 둔 근거이론 방법을 적용하여 분석하였다. 연구 참여자는 동료의 자살사망을 경험한 소방공무원 7명이며, 자료 수집은 2015년 10월 1일부터 11월 30일까지 심층인터뷰를 통해 이루어졌다. 연구 결과 동료자살 이후 소방공무원의 외상 후 성장 경험은 '조금씩 단단해져 감'이 핵심범주로 분석되었고 4개의 범주와 9개의 하위 범주가 도출되었다. 본 연구의 결과를 토대로 다양한 외상사건에 노출되는 소방공무원의 외상 후 성장을 도모하기 위한 융복합 중재 프로그램 개발이 필요하다.

• 한국산업융합학회 논문집
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.155-161
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• 2019

Recently, increases in major disasters such as fires, earthquakes and typhoons have raised public expectations for safety. In addition to this increase in expectations of safety, the government continues to push for more manpower and better treatment for firefighters who are operating in the disaster scene. Despite the improvement of working conditions and increased welfare for firefighters, however, the incidence and turnover of various mental diseases continues to increase. It is reported that many of the diseases such as post-traumatic stress disorder and the turnover of firefighters are due to a mismatch in individual's personality and work environment. In this study, 108 firefighters were evaluated for their vocational aptitude in the new curriculum. Based on the analysis results, new firefighters were proposed to provide employment and education training improvements, and to provide job security suitable for the individual's personality type through the introduction of the vocational aptitude test for firefighters who are working in the fire service. In addition, we would like to use the vocational aptitude test as a material for reducing post-traumatic stress disorder and increasing turnover through long-term tracking and observation, rather than from a one-off perspective.

• 한국응급구조학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.21-35
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of firefighters' job stress and emotional labor on their turnover intention, and analyze the main factors impacting turnover intention in this context. Methods: Based on a descriptive survey study design, we administered a structured questionnaire among 231 firefighters at one fire station in G metropolitan city from November 13 to 27, 2020. Results: Regarding job stress, participants showed differences based on marital status (p<.05), health status (p<.001), total service period (p<.05), and assignment (p<.05). For emotional labor, a significantly higher rate was observed for female than male firefighters (p<.05), with differences also observed in age (p<.001), health status (p<.001), total service period (p<.05), rank (p<.001), and assignment (p<.05). Further, for turnover intention, significant differences were noted with respect to age (p<.001), education (p<.01), health status (p<.001), total service period (p<.01), work unit (p<.05), rank (p<.001), and assignment (p<.05). A significant correlation was found between job stress and emotional labor and turnover intention. Regarding the factors affecting turnover intention, significant differences were noted based on education, rank, job stress, and emotional labor; the explanatory power was 53.9% (F=13.806, p<.001). Conclusion: Tailored support programs must be developed to ease firefighters' job stress and reduce their emotional labor to facilitate effective manpower management and reduce firefighters' turnover intention.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.516-524
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• 2015

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the current status of knowledge, awareness and health risk concerns on occupational radiation exposures among firefighters in Korea. The results will provide basic information for developing a prevention program to minimize adverse health effects relating to radiation exposure among firefighters. Methods: A questionnaire was composed of general characteristics of participants, and their knowledge, awareness, health risk concerns relating to occupational radiation exposure. It was distributed by email to all of 307 firefighters in Jeollabukdo in April 2014 and 259 of them (response rate 84.3%) were responded. Answers were analyzed for descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages. SPSS/WIN 18.0 program was utilized for statistical analysis of t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Results: The average score of radiation protection knowledge was $5.83{\pm}1.77$ ($average{\pm}SD$) out of 10. The score of awareness and health risk concerns on radiation exposure were 4.27, 3.94 out of 5, respectively. The results indicated that the knowledge on the characteristics of radiation was marginal among the firefighters, while the awareness and health risk concerns relating to radiation exposures were relatively higher comparing to other professions. Conclusions: Knowing the characteristics of potential risks is the first step for minimizing the adverse health effects relating to the risks. Therefore, it is necessary to provide adequate training and information on radiation and exposure protection methods for firefighters.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.357-369
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• 2020

본 연구는 소방공무원의 대처, 자기노출, 반추, 조직문화와 외상 후 성장(Posttraumatic Growth, PTG)의 정도를 살펴보고, PTG의 영향요인 규명을 위해 시행되었다. 자료수집은 경상도 소재 3개 소방서에 근무하는 소방공무원 103명을 대상으로 실시하였다. 연구결과 중~고 수준 PTG가 46명(44.7%)로 평균 58.07점이었으며 전체 PTG 평균은 44.56점으로 나타났다. PTG에 영향을 미치는 요인은 정서중심대처, 자기노출, 의도적 반추와 혁신지향 조직문화로 나타났으며 네 변수의 PTG에 대한 설명력은 45.9%로 나타났다. 소방공무원의 PTG촉진을 위해 정서중심대처, 자기노출, 의도적 반추 뿐 아니라 혁신지향 문화구축이라는 조직측면의 접근이 필요하며 이러한 결과는 소방공무원의 PTG 향상을 위한 중재방안에 활용될 수 있다.

• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.29-33
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• 2011

Objective : This study was performed to analyze the relationship between posttraumatic stress, coping style, and dissociation in Korean firefighters. Methods : Subjects included 193 male and 9 female firefighters in the metropolitan city of Daejeon. Their age ranged from 25 to 57 with an average of 39.17 (SD : 7.572) years. Their posttraumatic stress or traumatic experiences were assessed with the Korean Version of the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale. Their coping style was categorized with the Korean version of the Ways of Coping Checklist. Their dissociation was assessed with the Korean version of Dissociative Experiences Scale. The data analysis included a correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. The modeling tested the validity of the model that posttraumatic stress had a direct effect on dissociation and coping style had an mediatory effect between stress and dissociation. Results : First, firefighters' posttraumatic stress or traumatic experiences had a direct effect on dissociation, a symptom of a mental disorder. Second, the firefighters employed passive styles to cope with their stress. This is explained that they had been exposed to their traumatic events repeatedly without being able to control it themselves. Third, coping style had no effect on the mediation between posttraumatic stress and dissociation. This is explained in terms of repeated exposure to the traumatic events. Conclusion : Based on the results, it is concluded that Korean firefighters' dissociation was not relieved by their coping effort but associated directly with their traumatic experiences. To decrease their dissociation, it is necessary to reduce the exposure to their traumatic events.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.385-394
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• 2023

Objectives: Firefighters could be exposed to a range of toxic chemicals during firefighting. When tyre burns, various toxic chemicals including volatile organic compounds(VOCs) could be emitted. In this study, the researchers assessed the VOC exposure of firefighters during tyre fire suppression through biomonitoring. Methods: There was a big tyre fire on 12 March 2023. Of the responding firefighters, we recruited 14 participants to collect their urine after firefighting. One week later, researchers collected firefighters' urine again right after their off-duty period. We analyzed each metabolite of benzene, toluene, xylene, and styrene in urine and compared their exposure level based on sampling time. Results: The detection rate for metabolite of benzene, toluene, styrene, and xylene in urine sampled at each time was 43%-64%, 100%, 86%-100%, and 100%, respectively. Except for the benzene, metabolite levels measured in urine after firefighting were similar to that from off-duty period. However, the median concentration of benzene metabolite in urine sampled after firefighting was three times higher compared to that from off-duty period(34.2 ㎍/g crea. and 10.9 ㎍/g crea., respectively.) The estimated airborne concentration of benzene calculated from metabolite level in urine was 0.16 ppm, which exceeded the recommended exposure level set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Conclusions: This study shows that firefighters could be exposed to the high level of VOCs including benzene during their firefighting especially at tyre fire. These results could be used as a valuable data to prove firefighters' exposure to hazardous chemicals during their duty.