The Relationship between Occupational Stress and Burnout among Firefighters: Mediating of Grit

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effects of grit in the relationship between occupational stress and burnout among fire fighters. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 165 firefighters from seven fire stations in D city in Korea. The survey was conducted using a self-reporting questionnaire December 2019-January 2020. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis with the Sobel test using SPSS/WIN 22.0. Results: The occupational stress of firefighters had positive correlation with burnout (r=.68, p<.001). Occupational stress (r=-.39, p<.001) and burnout (r=-.51, p<.001) had negative correlation with grit (r=.63, p<.001). Grit had partially mediating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and burnout. Conclusion: The implications of this study indicate that grit plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of occupational stress on burnout among firefighters. Thus, t is necessary to develop a psychological program to improve grit to reduce the burnout of firefighters.