Date of Conferral

8-26-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Patricia Loun

Abstract

Repetitive trauma exposure predisposes firefighters to a variety of mental health issues. Despite efforts to expand mental health resources and peer support, stigma remains a significant barrier to formal (professional) and informal (peer) support-seeking within the fire service. According to social influence theory, firefighters may avoid using available support services because they perceive support-seeking as stigmatized by their peers and feel compelled to conform. Research across cultural groups suggests that individualism-collectivism orientation, which defines how individuals assign value to individual or group needs, has nuanced effects on perceptions of social support. However, the interplay of individualism-collectivism orientation, stigma, and perceived social support has not been explored among firefighters. This study examined the individual and combined effects of stigma and individualism-collectivism orientation on firefighters' perceptions of social support. This quantitative, nonexperimental, self-report survey study used a multiple regression analysis to assess the relationships between stigma, individualism-collectivism orientation, and perceived social support in a sample of 68 current career and volunteer firefighters. Horizontal collectivism (relationship security) and vertical individualism (opportunities for professional networking) were significantly and positively associated with perceived social support among firefighters. In contrast, stigma was significantly and negatively associated with perceived social support among firefighters. Grounded in social influence theory, the findings could inform social impact by developing culturally sensitive interventions for firefighters and by enhancing the efficacy of peer support programs.

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