Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8908-3209

Advisor

Strawderman, Lesley

Committee Member

Burch, Reuben F.

Committee Member

Smith, Brian

Committee Member

Chander, Harish

Date of Degree

5-16-2025

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Industrial Engineering

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Abstract

People are designed to be in community with others, to work together and share the load and weight of life. First responders are a community that has not emphasized the importance of social support to mitigate and buffer against the stress inherent in their jobs. This study investigates the sources of stress, coping methods, and social support of first responders. Results from the first study show the impact of workplace and family stress on the first responder is impactful from the beginning. The secondary study finds that adaptive coping methods are the preferred method to cope with stress and that first responders are resilient in working to address their stress. In the final study, social support was found to be an active part of mitigating stress but the opportunity for expansion is available. By considering all the studies together, opportunities to strengthen the environment for social support to flourish as a mitigation and buffer for stress are revealed.

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