What is it about?
Firefighting is a highly stressful profession where both individual coping and team coordination play critical roles in managing stress. This study examined how firefighters’ perceptions of stressful situations influence their coping strategies and, ultimately, their level of occupational stress. Importantly, it also explored how team processes—such as coordination, communication, and trust—shape these relationships. Using data from professional firefighters in Punjab, Pakistan, the study found that when firefighters view challenging situations more positively, they are more likely to use problem-focused coping strategies, which reduce stress. In contrast, emotion-focused and avoidance coping strategies were linked to higher stress levels. Strong team processes enhanced the benefits of adaptive coping and reduced the harmful effects of less effective coping strategies. These findings extend a widely used stress theory by showing that team functioning is a critical factor in high-risk professions. The results highlight the importance of strengthening both individual coping skills and team coordination to improve firefighter well-being and performance.
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Why is it important?
Firefighters regularly face life-threatening situations, making stress management critical for both their well-being and operational performance. This study shows that stress is not only an individual issue but also shaped by how well teams function under pressure. By highlighting the role of team processes, the study extends existing stress theories and provides practical guidance for improving training and support systems. Enhancing both coping skills and team coordination can help reduce stress, improve decision-making, and increase safety in emergency services. These findings are especially valuable for developing countries, where structured psychological support systems are often limited.
Perspectives
This research offers a new perspective by integrating team processes into a well-established model of stress and coping. It shifts the focus from purely individual responses to a more realistic understanding of how stress unfolds in team-based, high-risk environments. The findings suggest that future research should continue to explore team-level influences on stress, including cultural factors and organisational practices. For practitioners, the study highlights the importance of designing interventions that strengthen both individual resilience and team effectiveness.
Saqib Ali
University of Gujrat
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Efficacy of the transactional model of stress and coping among firefighters: Integration of team processes as a moderator., Psychological Services, March 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/ser0001037.
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