De-gendering firefighting: exploring risk perception and psychological resilience

Abstract

This study explores psychological differences between male and female firefighters. A convenience sample of 202 firefighters (62 females) filled out an anonymous web-based survey designed to capture self-repots on risk propensity, risk tolerance, resilience and coping resilience. Overall small differences were found suggesting that the hypothetical gender discrepancies may be reduced in firefighting occupational contexts. Further research is needed to confirm this.