Síndrome de Burnout em bombeiros : prevalência, fatores de risco e proposta de intervenção

Abstract

Despite being a psychosocial phenomenon, which nature, causes and consequences studied since 1970s, the Burnout Syndrome (SB) still reflects a major challenge of working life in the twenty-first century. Professionals that deal with emergencies, among them the firefighters, by getting in contact with traumatic events, are more exposed to impairment of their physical and emotional well-being, becoming susceptible to developing psychological symptoms, including stress at work and Burnout Syndrome. The dissertation hereby structured in two empirical articles, intended to identify the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome in a Fire Department of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil, determine the association with sociodemographic, labor variables and coping strategies as well as present a program proposal of stress management prevention to reduce Burnout levels and promote the quality of life of these workers. The first article, "Prevalence and Predictors of Burnout among firefighters", aimed to identify the prevalence of Burnout in firefighters and check the association between Burnout and sociodemographic, labor variables and coping strategies. A probabilistic sample, consisted of 132 participants, were investigated using socio-demographic and work variable questionnaires, Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) and Coping at Work Scale (COPE). The results identified the prevalence of Burnout in 3% of professionals in Profile 1, and 2.3% in Profile 2. Multiple linear hierarchical regression analysis (stepwise method) pointed coping strategies to be predictors of Burnout among firefighters. The second article, "Stress management and Burnout Syndrome prevention program for firefighters: report of an intervention experience," reports the experience of an intervention that aimed to present a proposal for a prevention program for stress management and Burnout for professional firefighters. The program, with three months' duration, carried out on a fortnightly basis and was structured into five sessions: I - employment contract and self-diagnosis; II - coping strategies; III - stress management; IV - compassion fatigue and V - social skills training, closure and evaluation. The program allowed the participants cope better with labor stressors thus increasing the overall level of satisfaction at work. This dissertation enabled a broader discussion about the promoters and protectors elements of mental health in firefighter professional, highlighting the importance of intervention studies as a means of promoting their occupational health.