• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.121-133
• /
• 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.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.303-312
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to describe the semantic system and process of posttraumatic growth experience of firefighters after colleague's suicide. Grounded theory methodology based on symbolic interactionism was utilized. The subjects of this study were 7 firefighters who experienced the colleague's suicide. Data were collected by using in-depth interviews from October 1 to November 30, 2015. The results showed that "Gradually becoming more resilient" was analyzed to be the core category of firefighters' posttraumatic growth. We derived four categories and nine subcategories. Based on the results, it is necessary to develop a convergence intervention program to promote posttraumatic growth of firefighters exposed to various traumatic events.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.21-35
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.516-524
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.357-369
• /
• 2020

This study aimed to examine the coping, self-disclosure, rumination, organizational culture and degree of Posttraumatic Growth(PTG) of firefighters who experienced trauma, and to identify the factors that influence PTG. Data collection was conducted for 103 firefighters working at three fire departments located in Gyeongsang-do. As a result of the study, 46(44.7%) PTGs of medium to high level averaged 58.07 points, and the total PTG average was 44.56 points. The influenced factors affecting PTG in firefighters were emotional-focused coping(EFC), self-disclosure(SD), deliberate rumination(DR) and innovative-oriented culture(IOC).The explanatory power of these factors PTG was 45.9%. In order to promote the firefighters 'PTG, it is necessary to approach of EFC, SE, and DR but also an organizational aspect as well as IOC construction, and these results can be used as an arbitration plan to improve the firefighters' PTG.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.385-394
• /
• 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.