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The mediating role of coping in the relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and job burnout among Chinese firefighters

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Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to explore the relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and job burnout among firefighters, as well as the mediating effect of coping in the relationship of PTSS and job burnout.

Methods

A total of 431 firefighters participated in the study by completing a questionnaire package including Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI).

Results

(1) The level of firefighters’ emotional exhaustion of job burnout varied significantly by age groups [F (2, 428) = 4.33, p < 0.05], and working years [F (2, 428) = 3.22, p < 0.05]; the level of cynicism of job burnout varied significantly by working years [F (2, 428) = 3.63, p < 0.05]. (2) PTSS was significantly and positively associated with job burnout (β = 0.899, p < 0.001). (3) Both avoidant coping and problem-solving mediated the relationship between PTSS and job burnout (β = 0.212, p < 0.001; β = 0.145, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Firefighters with higher level of PTSS are more likely to have job burnout. Avoidant coping and problem-solving play the mediating role in the relationship between PTSS and job burnout. The clinical implications for firefighters’ interventions are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The project was supported by Project of the Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of Jiangsu (Grant number: 18SHC004) and Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant number: BK20190702).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Jiali Huang & Yuanyuan An

  2. School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, USA

    Xiaohui Li

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  1. Jiali Huang
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Correspondence to Yuanyuan An.

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Huang, J., Li, X. & An, Y. The mediating role of coping in the relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and job burnout among Chinese firefighters. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 94, 243–250 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01571-0

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