Iran Occupational Health

Background and aims: Job stress is a major problem in the modern world and a main concern for organizations. Rescue workers, including firefighters constantly exposed to toxins, high emotional shock and stress resulted from physical injuries while performing their duty. Development of job stress in firefighters decreases occupational motivation and ultimately leads to productivity reduction. There is no problem even if the work is inherently stressful, but when a person loses a sense of control, higher stress takes over him. People who are better educated have broader solutions to cope with stress.

This study aimed at investigating the effect of stress management education on stress of Rasht firefighters.

Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. 128 firefighters who completed the first phase of HSE Job Stress Questionnaire and showing higher stress were divided randomly into experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in two class sessions of three hours on stress management. Two weeks after the end of the educational session, a questionnaire was distributed and completed for both groups. In the follow-up study after one month, the questionnaire was distributed in the experimental group and the results were evaluated.

Results: The mean score of stress in the experimental and control group changed slightly before and after the intervention. It was observed that the mean increased slightly in the experimental group and decreased slightly in the control group, and this difference was not statistically significant. Of the stress areas, there were statistically significant differences in the relationship and change. In the area of relationship, it was observed statistically significant difference before, two weeks and a month after the intervention (p=0.05). In the area of change, there was a significant decrease in the score of the control group (p=0.03). This reduction was not observed in the experimental group.

Conclusion: Stress management education was effective in improving the area of relationship in the experimental group. It seemed that decline in the area of change in the control group and lack of decrease in the same area in the experimental group was due to remarkable changes and movement at workplace, and the experimental group could adjusted themselves because of receiving stress management education. Based on the results of this study, stress management education was effective in keeping the stress score constant in the experimental group and prevented stress condition worsening. According to the findings of the study and the impact of stress management education to prevent firefighters stress condition worsening, it is suggested that the educational program implemented as a permanent educational plan at the fire stations.