First Responder Crossover and the Effect on Work-Life Balance
Presentation Type
Presentation
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Danny Malone, Jr., Sociology
Major
Sociology
Presentation Abstract
Crossover stress has an impact on a First Responder’s marriage and family. It becomes difficult to achieve a work-life balance while navigating the demands of a stressful and often traumatic career. First Responder mental health has long been a forbidden topic. It is often only spoken in a reactive matter. First Responder mental health needs to be seen as a proactive issue. In this exploratory study, a survey instrument with 10 questions was issued to first responders and their spouses, related to work-life balance and coping with work-related stress. Through some of the preliminary findings, a central theme from the majority of respondents suggests that First Responders do not have proper coping techniques to handle to stressors they experience while on duty. These could lead to spillover into home life which impacts family dynamics. First responder families are unaware of the unseen emotional impact of their loved one’s career. Crossover affects the mental health of the first responder, their spouses, and their children and this exploratory study look to address how first responders can alleviate some of the work stress spillover.
Start Date
12-4-2023 3:20 PM
End Date
12-4-2023 3:40 PM
Disciplines
Sociology
Recommended Citation
Walser, Christina, "First Responder Crossover and the Effect on Work-Life Balance" (2023). Undergraduate Research Competition. 61.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2023/fullconference/61
First Responder Crossover and the Effect on Work-Life Balance
Crossover stress has an impact on a First Responder’s marriage and family. It becomes difficult to achieve a work-life balance while navigating the demands of a stressful and often traumatic career. First Responder mental health has long been a forbidden topic. It is often only spoken in a reactive matter. First Responder mental health needs to be seen as a proactive issue. In this exploratory study, a survey instrument with 10 questions was issued to first responders and their spouses, related to work-life balance and coping with work-related stress. Through some of the preliminary findings, a central theme from the majority of respondents suggests that First Responders do not have proper coping techniques to handle to stressors they experience while on duty. These could lead to spillover into home life which impacts family dynamics. First responder families are unaware of the unseen emotional impact of their loved one’s career. Crossover affects the mental health of the first responder, their spouses, and their children and this exploratory study look to address how first responders can alleviate some of the work stress spillover.