The impact of perceived social support on psychological capital of firefighters

The chain mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and psychological resilience

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22089616
AutoresBochuan Zhao (0009-0008-6866-1717, Guilin Medical University), Hong Tu (0000-0002-8635-4875, Guilin Medical University), Haining Tu, Xinan Zhang (0000-0002-9472-8785, Guilin Medical University, autor de correspondencia), Yongtao Yan (Shenzhen Polytechnic University, autor de correspondencia), Ying Su (0000-0002-8466-0043, Guilin University of Electronic Technology), Yuqi Su
Año2025
Volumen13
Páginas1691496-1691496
Fecha de publicación2025-10-16
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1691496
PMID41179799
OpenAlexW4415234678
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas32

Background This study explored how perceived social support affects firefighters' psychological capital through the chain mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and psychological resilience. Methods Firefighters from a Jiangsu Province fire rescue team ( N = 524, 95.3% response rate) completed the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale (SEE), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ). Hierarchical regression analysis and Bootstrap method (5,000 resamples) tested the chain mediation model. Results The sample consisted of 99.6% males, with ages mainly concentrated between 30-45 years, and an average service length of more than 10 years. Perceived social support was significantly positively correlated with psychological capital ( r = 0.592), exercise self-efficacy ( r = 0.527), and psychological resilience ( r = 0.582); exercise self-efficacy correlated with psychological resilience ( r = 0.579; all p < 0.001). The chain indirect effect (perceived social support → exercise self-efficacy → psychological resilience → psychological capital) was significant [95% CI (0.09, 0.18)]. Conclusion Perceived social support enhances firefighters' psychological capital both directly and indirectly through sequential improvements in exercise self-efficacy and psychological resilience. Fire departments should create supportive team environments and integrate physical training with psychological resilience cultivation to improve firefighters' psychological capital and mental health

Positive psychological capital · Psychological resilience · Psychological stress · Social capital · Social support · Occupational Health and Performance · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Resilience and Mental Health