Modeling Firefighter Work State, Satisfaction and Well-Being

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that high levels of hostility may result in negative outcomes such as aggression or disengagement and that this impact may be exasperated by the workplace environment. The current study contributes to knowledge regarding firefighters and the fire service work environment. Our purpose was to investigate relationships between work state, psychological well-being, general satisfaction and hostility for firefighters. Data analyses involved structural equation modeling and results indicated that positive work state is negatively related to satisfaction and positively related to psychological symptomatology. In particular, the present results suggest that positive working environment has significant impacts on many domains of firefighter life; consequently, creating a positive working environment should be considered a key area of intervention in assisting toward overall well-being for firefighters.