Predictive stressors for the burnout syndrome in firefighters. A systematic review

Abstract

Firefighters are exposed to situations where decision making is constant and affects not only the lives of those they serve, but also their own. The aim of this study was to identify stress-related factors that may predispose to the development of burnout in firefighters. A systematic review following the PRISMA 2020 statement was carried out in the Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and Pubmed databases. The literature search was conducted in August 2024. The methodological quality was assessed using the critical appraisal tools for studies of the Joanna Briggs Institute. A total of 34 studies were included in this review. Among the risk factors identified as being associated with burnout were years of service, low levels of self-compassion, language barriers, alcohol consumption, age, proactive and negative coping styles, work stress, perceived stress, compassion fatigue, previous mental health history, performance in an external environment, family responsibilities, satisfaction with standard of living, feelings of loneliness, sleep disturbance, and work uniform. In this population, protective factors against the development of burnout included proactive coping, physical activity, perceived social support, self-concept clarity, and resilience. A number of risk and protective factors have been identified as predisposing the emergence of the burnout syndrome. These stressors have the potential to impact the worker, resulting in occupational illnesses and injuries, poor compliance with safety measures, and the onset of sleep disorders. Such consequences may have serious implications for the worker’s physical and mental health, as well as the health and integrity of third parties.