The correlation between job stress, burnout, and cognitive performance in Iranian firefighters: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Appropriate cognitive performance is vital for a firefighter, but many occupational factors can negatively affect it. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the correlation between job stress, burnout, and cognitive performance in firefighters. METHODS: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in three fire stations in Iran in 2023 with 61 participants, including 34 firefighters in the exposed group and 27 office workers in the control group. After ensuring the confidentiality of the obtained information and completing the demographic information checklist, Job stress and burnout levels were measured using standardized questionnaires, and cognitive functions were assessed using two computerized tests: Stroop and continuous performance. RESULTS: The mean age and work experience of firefighters were 33.29±9.44 and 10.42±3.51 years, respectively. The firefighters’ job stress and burnout levels were, on average, 163.12±9.18 and 88.89±4.28, respectively, significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The results of the Pearson correlation test revealed a strong correlation (r = 0.719) between job stress and burnout. Pearson correlation coefficient (r = –0.512–0.757), yielded from psychological tests, demonstrated that firefighters’ job stress and burnout had moderate to strong associations with certain indicators of Stroop and continuous performance tests. CONCLUSION: According to the obtained results, it is recommended to take fundamental measures to reduce occupational stress and burnout of firefighters as a factor affecting cognitive performance.