A Cross-Sectional Study on Influence of Perceived Stress and Athletic Burnout Among Chinese Firefighters: Mediating Role of Negative Coping

Objectives: The firefighters have the degree of athletic burnout, similar to that of professional athletes. They need to undertake repetitive, monotonous, and high-intensity training. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between perceived stress and athletic burnout, and the mediating effect of coping style among the Chinese firefighters. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the Internet, and link-based questionnaires sent to a sample of 971 Chinese firefighters aged 18-45 years in 2021. This questionnaire was a Chinese adaptation of the Perceived Stress Scale, Athlete Burnout Questionnaire and Simple Coping Style Questionnaire. Results: Results showed that firefighters' perceived stress significantly predicted athletic burnout (β = .69, p < .001); firefighters' negative coping played a mediating role between perceived stress and athletic burnout (effect = .13, SE = .02, LLCI = .10, ULCI = .17). Conclusion: The findings indicates that high perceived stress of firefighters can either lead to more severe athletic burnout directly, or indirectly by increasing negative coping.