Occupational stressors, stress responses, and alcohol consumption among professional firefighters: A prospective, longitudinal analysis

This dual-site longitudinal prospective study monitored and measured change in self-reported occupational stressors, emotional trauma, symptoms of str ess, and alcohol consumption in urban firefighters. Study participants were 188 firefighters employed by two urban fire departments. The results showe d that of 19 occupational stressors examined, only 5 (26%) changed signific antly over time, and of those 5, only two-job skill concerns and concerns r egarding reduction in force and benefits-decreased reflecting less botherso me subjective ratings. Of the 12 measures of posttraumatic and other sympto ms of stress, 9 (75%) increased significantly over rime and none decreased significantly, whereas alcohol consumption was stable over time. Job stress ors, trauma caseness, and stress response symptoms at baseline were strongl y and significantly associated with the same measures at the two-year follo w-up. The implications of the findings for prevention and remediation of st ress disorders in fire service personnel are considered It call be conclude d that the stressful nature of urban firefighting is significantly associat ed with negative health outcomes, including the potential overreliance on a lcohol use.