Responding to Threats: Social Representations and Emotional Adaptation among Lyon Firefighters
Résumé
In a context marked by nuclear, radiological, biological, chemical, and explosive (CBRNe) threats, various policies aimed at prevention, protection, and adaptation have been implemented to address these challenges. In June 2021, the President of the French Republic introduced “France 2030” and the Health Innovation Plan 2030, with the objective of preparing France to respond effectively to contemporary threats. Firefighters (SP) are particularly exposed to high demands and significant sources of stress, notably due to their confrontation with potentially traumatic events, some of which may be linked to CBRNe risks. These conditions make them vulnerable to mental health issues (Kauffman et al., 2022). This study aims to address these emotional vulnerabilities, which are rooted in the social representations of the threat, by examining how firefighters collectively readjust to meet the demands of their profession. We draw on the theory of social representations (RS), which posits that social thinking is constructed within groups, and that each member contributes to building a shared belief system—especially in relation to threats (Moscovici, 1961). Such consensus fosters group cohesion, sustained by the interactions needed to create and solidify these representations (Moscovici & Hewstone, 1984). Moreover, in threatening contexts, the social sharing of emotions plays a crucial role in reinforcing both cohesion and social representations (Rimé, 2009). This study is based on the hypothesis that social representations of threat and emotional regulation among firefighters are related to variables such as social norms, gender roles, and professional demands (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2012). To explore this process of collective adaptation, individual interviews and focus groups are conducted with both volunteer and professional firefighters from the Lyon Metropolitan and Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDMIS).
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