Affiliations: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster
University, Hamilton, ON, Canada | Hand and Upper Limb Center, Clinical Research
Laboratory, St. Joseph's Health Center, London, ON, Canada
Note: [] Corresponding author: Kathryn Sinden PhD (candidate), School of
Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, IAHS 402, 1400 Main Street West,
Hamilton, ON, L8S 1C7, Canada. Tel.: +1 905 525 9140 x 26410; Fax: +1 905 524
0069; E-mail: sindenk@mcmaster.ca
Abstract: PURPOSE: Firefighters are exposed to high physical and psychological
occupational factors while providing an essential service to our communities.
Female firefighters represent a minority group in this male dominated
occupation. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively determine the impact
of a male dominated, physically demanding occupation on women's work health and
job satisfaction through the experiences of female firefighters. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used to collect data
through semi-structured, recorded interviews with female firefighters. The
recorded interviews were transcribed into text and inductive thematic analysis
was used to qualitatively analyze the transcripts. RESULTS: Review and analysis of the participant responses identified
seven themes: physical demands/difficulties, gender related physiological
differences, compensatory strategies, equipment mal-adaptation, earning
respect, negative attitudes of male counterparts: impact on social inclusion
and health behaviors, recognition of injury risk. CONCLUSION: Female firefighters are exposed to increased risk of
injury due to the psychological and physical occupational stressors in
firefighting. Implications of this research are provided and include
recommendations for future research to target the physical and psychosocial
aspects of firefighting.
