The impact of occupational stress on psychological well-being in the fire service.

The research aimed to examine the impact of occupational
stress on psychological well-being in the Fire Service. In particular, the research examined the impact of occupational
stress (Uplifts and Hassles) and individual differences (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Mastery
and Coping) on work and context free well-being and Work Performance as part of a model based on the work of Cooper (1986) and Williams and Cooper (1998).
The research involved three stages, two of which were
quantitative and the third qualitative. In stage one, cross sectional data was collected using a questionnaire from five
samples (N=867). In stage two, data was collected at a second time point from two of these samples (i. e. longitudinal data, N=123). In stage three, semi structured interviews were
conducted with six fire personnel taken from one of the longitudinal samples, and thematic analysis was conducted. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted via hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Path analyses were
also conducted on both cross sectional and the longitudinal data. The quantitative results, in terms of work well-being and
Work Performance suggested there was good well-being.
However, the context free well-being measure indicated poor General mental health. Furthermore, stress and individual
differences had important influences on work and context
free well-being, as well as on Work Performance. Neuroticism and Mastery seemed to be particularly important for these
Fire Service samples. This latter with respect to General mental health finding was supported by the qualitative research which suggested that Fire Service personnel were
experiencing stress. The qualitative research also suggested
possible interventions the Fire Service could put into practice to support its employees such as Coaching and mentoring'
and `Support from colleagues' .