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Description
Firefighting involves long shifts, unpredictable schedules, sleep disruption, and repeated exposure to occupational stressors that may affect not only firefighters but also their families. This doctoral capstone examined how the occupational demands of firefighting influence family roles, routines, habits, participation, and overall well-being. A convergent mixed-methods study included active or retired firefighters (n = 18) and adult firefighter family members (n = 10), with three participants also completing optional semi-structured interviews. Quantitative survey data were analyzed descriptively, while interview transcripts and open-ended responses were analyzed thematically using the Model of Human Occupation as a guiding framework. Findings demonstrated disruptions in sleep, recovery, family routines, household responsibilities, and meaningful participation. Qualitative findings further identified schedule-driven adaptation, redistribution of family roles, work-to-home spillover, the protective role of family connection, and changing attitudes toward help-seeking within fire service culture. Quantitative and qualitative findings converged in demonstrating that fire service demands influence the occupational participation of both firefighters and family members. A separate practice-based capstone experience at First Responders Recovery Malibu included development and facilitation of a six-week occupation-centered educational program, Roles, Routines, & Recovery, for first responders in residential treatment.
Publication Date
Summer 2026
Publisher
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Keywords
Firefighters, firefighter families, occupational therapy, occupational participation, Model of Human Occupation, roles and routines, work-family conflict, first responders
Medical Subject Headings
Firefighter, occupation, sleep, family members, habits, residential treatment, adult, participant, firefighters
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Recommended Citation
Gomez, T. M., Orozco Arteaga, J., & Park, K. (2026, July 1). Supporting Firefighter Families: Addressing Occupational Disruptions Through an Occupation-Centered Approach. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2026/29
Comments
Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.