TTLV: Psychological capital of firefighters

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name:Mai Ngoc Chi2. Gender:Female

3. Date of birth: 30/11/2001

4. Place of birth:Hanoi

5. Decision to recognize student number:5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process:Do not have

7. Thesis topic name:Psychological capital of firefighters

8. Major:Psychology (Research Orientation)Code:8310401

9. Scientific instructor:Associate Professor, Dr. Le Thi Minh Loan; Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of thesis results:

The results of the study showed that the psychological capital of firefighters was at an average level, with the optimism component having the highest average score. This reflects the ability to adapt well to emergency situations and maintain a positive spirit at work. However, the fact that psychological capital has not reached the high level as initially hypothesized shows that there are still factors that limit the development and maintenance of this resource. The study also noted statistically significant differences in psychological capital according to age, education level and frequency of professional training, while seniority only affected a few specific components.

Analysis of influencing factors showed that social support, organizational support, and support from managers all had positive impacts on overall psychological capital and its individual components. In addition, informal support sources such as online professional groups or community encouragement also contributed to firefighters' psychological stability, increasing their resilience to pressure and high risks in stressful working environments.

11. Practical application: 

Based on the research results, some intervention directions can be proposed to enhance the psychological capital of firefighters. First of all, it is necessary to promote forms of social support from family, friends and colleagues through engagement activities, community communication and mental health care for relatives of firefighters. At the same time, organizations and managers need to promote their role in creating a positive working environment, listening, recognizing and supporting employees to overcome difficulties.

In addition, psychological training programs should be organized to help improve emotional self-regulation, positive thinking, resilience and self-efficacy. The development of professional support networks, such as online groups or experience-sharing forums, also contributes to strengthening social connections and career motivation. These orientations not only help improve individual psychological strength but also contribute to increasing the operational efficiency and response capacity of the entire firefighting force in emergency situations.

12. Further research directions:

To further elucidate the role of psychological capital and the factors that influence this resource in the specific context of the fire service, future research may consider the following directions:

(1) Applying a longitudinal research design to track changes in psychological capital over time and test the causal relationship between influencing factors, thereby more clearly determining the predictive role of support sources on the development of psychological capital.

(2) Add individual factors to better understand the internal mechanisms that contribute to strengthening or weakening psychological capital.

13. Published works related to the thesis: 

Le Thi Minh Loan, Mai Ngoc Chi, Hoang Mai Anh. (Expected to be published in issue 9/2025). Occupational stress and psychological capital of firefighters.Journal of Sociology and Psychology.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name:Mai Ngoc Chi2. Sex:Female

3. Date of birth: 30/11/2001                               4. Place of birth:Hanoi

5. Admission decision number:5626/QD-XHNV; Dated December 29, 2023, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process:None

7. Official thesis title:Psychological capital of firefighters

8. Major:Psychology (Research-Oriented)Code:8310401                                         

9. Supervisors:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Minh Loan; Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The findings revealed that the psychological capital of firefighters was at an average level, with optimism being the highest-scoring component. This reflects their ability to adapt well to emergencies and maintain a positive mindset at work. However, the fact that psychological capital did not reach a high level as initially suggested suggests the existence of certain factors limiting its development and maintenance. The study also found significantly significant differences in psychological capital across age, educational attainment, and frequency of professional training, while years of service only affected a few specific components.

Analysis of inflaming factors indicates that social support, organizational support, and supervisory support all had positive effects on overall psychological capital as well as on individual components. Additionally, informal sources of support, such as online professional groups and emotional encouragement from the community, also contribute to psychological stability and enhanced resilience among firefighters facing high stress and occupational hazards.

11. Practical applicability:

Based on the findings, several intervention directions can be proposed to enhance firefighters' psychological capital. First, it is essential to strengthen social support from family, friends, and colleagues through bonding activities, community outreach, and mental health care programs for the families of firefighters. At the same time, organizations and supervisors should play a vital role in creating a positive work environment, showing appreciation, providing feedback, and supporting employees in overcoming difficulties.

Moreover, psychological training programs should be implemented to enhance firefighters' emotional regulation, positive thinking, resilience, and self-efficacy—the core components of psychological capital. The development of professional support networks, such as online groups or peer-sharing forums, can further strengthen social connections and professional motivation. These initiatives not only foster individual mental strength but also enhance the overall effectiveness and responsiveness of the firefighting force in emergencies.

12. Further research directions:

To further clarify the role of psychological capital and its influencing factors in the unique context of firefighting, future studies could consider the following directions:

(1) Employing a longitudinal research design to track changes in psychological capital over time and examine causal relationships among variables, thereby identifying the predictive role of various forms of support in its development.

(2) Incorporating individual-level factors to gain deeper insights into the internal mechanisms that either strengthen or diminish psychological capital.

13. Thesis-related publications:                                                                                             

Le Thi Minh Loan, Mai Ngoc Chi, & Hoang Mai Anh. (Expected publication in September 2025). Occupational Stress and Psychological Capital among Firefighters.Journal of Sociology and Psychology.