Bem-estar dos bombeiros portugueses

Abstract

All individuals follow a path that does not manifest itself in a linear way, as assessment and the consequences of the events that mark them are not linear. If the uniqueness of each person conditions the reaction, there are events that, because they are so unexpected and overwhelming, cause splits with obvious physical and psychological consequences. Among the highest risk professions are firefighters. As stress and unpredictability are constant, it is in the way they approach their profession and life that may be the solution to dealing with the demands (Alvarado, 2019). The promotion of well-being is, therefore, mandatory, as there are conditions that are more easily enumerated and others that are closely linked to the quality of life and physical and psychological aspects of individuals (Batista, 2014; Francisquini et al., 2020; Oliveira et al., 2020). It is an innovative, cross-sectional, and correlational study, using a quantitative approach, with a single intervention, which aims to make new contributions to the assessment of the well-being of Portuguese firefighters. In addition to characterizing the different potentially traumatic events, its objectives are (1) Understanding the influence of Lifestyle on Firefighters' Well-being, (2) Understanding the association between Coping Strategies and Firefighters' Well-being and (3) Identify the Types of Potentially Traumatic Events and the Lifestyle of Firefighters. 381 firefighters from corporations from 6 sub-regions participated, from two regions: Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and Alentejo, spread across four districts: Lisbon, Santarém, Portalegre and Setúbal. Both sexes are represented, 29.2% (N=111) female and 70.8% (N=270) male, aged 18 to 64, for an average of 38.53 (SD=10.24). As data collection instruments, in addition to the characterization variables, the Portuguese adaptation of the Toulousaine Coping Scale, the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire and the WHO-5 Well-being Index were used. Data analysis highlighted disparities between the different potentially traumatic events and the impact caused, regarding Lifestyle and Well-being. No correlation was confirmed between Well-being and Coping Strategies, nor was there a correlation between. Lifestyle and Coping Strategies. These results corroborate the fact that the characteristics of different events play an important role in the impact caused.

Date of Award	29 Nov 2023
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Miguel Arriaga (Supervisor)