Influence of Avoidant Coping on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Job Burnout Among Firefighters: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to explore the effects of avoidant coping on posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and job burnout among firefighters, and to examine the mediating role of perceived social support on the relationship between avoidant coping and PTSS and job burnout.

Method: Assessments including the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Coping Style Inventory (CSI), and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) were conducted among 431 firefighters studying in a school specializing in training firemen in Nanjing, China.

Result: The results show that: (1) Avoidant coping was positively related to PTSS and job burnout among firefighters; and (2) avoidant coping was positively related to PTSS and job burnout through the mediating effect of perceived social support.

Conclusion: These findings not only provide guiding information for relevant departments to prevent mental health issues of firefighters in the future, but also enlighten the psychological intervention for firefighters, that is, to encourage firefighters to actively face and solve problems and adopt positive coping styles, as well as offer them more care and support whenever possible.

Keywords: avoidant coping; firefighters; job burnout; posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS); social support.