title: The firefighter coping self-efficacy scale: measure development and validation.
abstract: The authors evaluated the psychometric properties of the Firefighter Coping Self-Efficacy (FFCSE) Scale, a new measure developed to assess firefighters' perceived competence in managing stressful and traumatic experiences encountered on the job. Two samples of firefighters completed the FFCSE Scale at two different time points. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a unidimensional structure, which was further supported with confirmatory factor analysis using a second sample. Internal consistency of the measure was excellent. Analysis of cross-sectional data indicated FFCSE was positively associated with measures of psychological well-being and social support, and negatively associated with work-related stress and psychological distress. FFCSE also uniquely contributed to the variance in psychological distress, over and above variables previously shown to be associated with distress among this population. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Trauma, Health & Hazards Center, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Benight
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cieslak
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D015206:Southwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014505:Urban Population; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data