%0 Journal Article
%T Transcending adversity: resilience in volunteer firefighters
%J International Journal of Emergency Services
%D 2020
%A Blaney, Leigh McCarley
%A Wilde, David
%A Hill, Rowena
%V 10
%N 2
%P 161-176
%X PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to present a theory of psychological resilience in volunteer firefighters. <br><br>DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Using a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) approach, the qualitative study engaged a purposive sample of eight firefighters in Canada, conducted in-depth interviews and analysed the data using comparative methods. <br><br>FINDINGS The results provided unique insights into resilience in firefighters and revealing resilience as multidimensional, complex, dynamic and contextual. Six core concepts interrelate to construct resilience: relationships, personal resources, meaning-making, leadership, culture and knowledge. Practical implications The findings of this research offer a framework for practical integration of resilience theory into workplace health policy and practice. The theory was co-created with firefighters hence is contextually sound to this population, but applicable to other emergency and health services. <br><br>ORIGINALITY/VALUE Volunteer firefighters are under-represented in the literature, despite facing intermittent and frequently intense work-related stressors; this research begins to address the gap in the literature. As well, previous resilience theories have noted relationships between some components, but there is little evidence linking categories; this theory more patently represents the complex nature of resilience in volunteer firefighters.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Emerald Group Publishing
%@ 2047-0894
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJES-10-2019-0055