The impact of the brain-behavioral system and anxiety sensitivity on job burnout: the mediating role of mentalization among firefighters

Abstract

Introduction: Job burnout is one of the main factors that reduce the quality of life, mental health, and productivity of organizations. Accordingly, this study was conducted to examine the Impact of the brain-behavioral System and Anxiety Sensitivity on Job Burnout: The Mediating Role of Mentalization among Firefighters.

Materials and Methods: The research method was a descriptive correlational structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all firefighters in the operational areas of the Tehran Fire and Safety Services Organization in 2024, of which 367 people were selected through the convenience sampling method. The instruments used in the research included the Maslach and Jackson Burnout Questionnaire (1981), the Carver and White Brain Behavioral System Questionnaire (1994), the Reese et al. Anxiety Sensitivity Questionnaire (1985), and the Fonagy et al. Mentalization Questionnaire (2016). Data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation method, structural modeling, and software (SPSS23) and (Amos26).

Results: The findings showed that there was a negative and significant relationship between behavioral activation and burnout (β= -0/21, p<0.001), anxiety sensitivity with burnout (β= -0/39, p<0.001), and mentalization with burnout (β= -0/22, p<0.001). Also, the indirect effect of the brain-behavioral system and anxiety sensitivity mediated by mentalization on burnout was significant (p<0.001)

Conclusion: Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that variables such as the behavioral brain system, anxiety sensitivity, and mentalization should be taken into account during the firefighter selection process to reduce the risk of occupational burnout.