UNCONTROLLED BURN: THE WORKER WELL-BEING OF WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS

Author

Luke Santore, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Sociology (Inequality and Social Justice option)

Department or School/College

Sociology

Committee Chair

James Tuttle

Committee Co-chair

Daisy Rooks

Commitee Members

Charles Palmer

Keywords

social loneliness, emotional loneliness, loneliness, quality of life, mental health, occupational well-being

Publisher

University of Montana

Subject Categories

Inequality and Stratification | Work, Economy and Organizations

Abstract

Purpose: The available evidence indicates that wildland firefighters (WLFFs) are experiencing a well-being crisis. This study aims to assess predictors of both worker well-being and social and emotional loneliness among WLFFs.

Methods: An adapted version of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Worker Well-Being Questionnaire, along with the De Jong Gierveld Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld & Van Tilburg, 2010) was distributed between May and October of 2023. Nine ordinary least square linear regression models were estimated to test the impact of demographic and employment variables on well-being in the sample of 95 WLFFs.

Findings: WLFFs reported a means score of 2.2 on the Emotional Loneliness Scale, indicating intense emotional loneliness. There were significant positive relationships between private employment as a WLFF, dependents, and some Worker Well-Being indices. There were significant negative relationships between age, status as a woman or gender nonconforming WLFF, and some Worker Well-Being indices. There were significant negative relationships between intimate partnership status and both social loneliness and emotional loneliness.

Conclusion: This study provided a valuable benchmark for future research on the worker well-being of WLFFs. Additionally, the notably high emotional loneliness scores suggests that at least in this one dimension, WLFFs in the sample are experiencing poor well-being.

Recommended Citation

Santore, Luke, "UNCONTROLLED BURN: THE WORKER WELL-BEING OF WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS" (2024). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 12311.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/12311