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Exercise and Occupational Stress among Firefighters

Author

Listed:
  • Elpidoforos S. Soteriades

    (Healthcare Management Program, School of Economics and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
    Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology (EOME), Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Paris Vogazianos

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Humanities, Social and Education Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus)

  • Federica Tozzi

    (Stremble Ventures Ltd., Limassol 4042, Cyprus)

  • Athos Antoniades

    (Stremble Ventures Ltd., Limassol 4042, Cyprus)

  • Eleftheria C. Economidou

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece)

  • Lilia Psalta

    (School of Sciences, UCLan Cyprus, Larnaka 7080, Cyprus
    Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus)

  • George Spanoudis

    (Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus)

Abstract

The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential association between physical activity and occupational stress among firefighters. Data were collected from Cypriot firefighters through a web-based battery of internationally validated questionnaires completed anonymously (COPSOQ, DASS). A total of 430 firefighters (response rate 68%) completed the survey (age range: 21–60 years). More than half of the firefighters (54%) reported either no or minimal physical activity. A total of 11% of firefighters reported moderate to extremely severe stress based on the DASS-S scale. Using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, we showed that firefighters who exercised had 50% lower risk of occupational stress, and using a categorical model, we found that every hour per week of increased physical activity among firefighters was associated with 16% lower risk of occupational stress after adjusting for age, education, smoking, and body mass index (OR = 1.16; p = 0.05). In addition, our findings suggest an inverse dose–response relationship between physical activity and occupational stress among firefighters. Physical activity appears to be inversely associated with occupational stress and serves as an important mitigating factor of occupational stress in firefighters. Further research is warranted to evaluate the potential effect of exercise interventions on occupational stress, and the overall mental health of firefighters and other occupational groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Elpidoforos S. Soteriades & Paris Vogazianos & Federica Tozzi & Athos Antoniades & Eleftheria C. Economidou & Lilia Psalta & George Spanoudis, 2022. "Exercise and Occupational Stress among Firefighters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:4986-:d:797622
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Campbell Quick & Demetria F. Henderson, 2016. "Occupational Stress: Preventing Suffering, Enhancing Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Menard, Scott, 2004. "Six Approaches to Calculating Standardized Logistic Regression Coefficients," The American Statistician, American Statistical Association, vol. 58, pages 218-223, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Antonio Jesús Casimiro-Andújar & Juan Carlos Checa & María-Jesús Lirola & Eva Artés-Rodríguez, 2023. "Promoting Physical Activity and Health in the Workplace: A Qualitative Study among University Workers, Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Dewen Liu & Shenghao Han & Chunyang Zhou, 2022. "The Influence of Physical Exercise Frequency and Intensity on Individual Entrepreneurial Behavior: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Yushi Lu & Zhi Li & Yuting Fan & Jin Wang & Tian Zhong & Ling Wang & Ying Xiao & Dongmei Zhang & Qingsong Chen & Xi Yu, 2022. "The Mediating Role of Cumulative Fatigue on the Association between Occupational Stress and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study among 1327 Chinese Primary Healthcare Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Doru Costin Darabont & Lucian-Ionel Cioca & Costică Bejinariu & Daniel Onuț Badea & Oana Roxana Chivu & Timur Vasile Chiș, 2024. "Impact of Personal Protective Equipment Use on Stress and Psychological Well-Being Among Firefighters: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-23, November.

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