The mediating role of mindfulness in explaining the causal relationship between basic psychological needs and family functioning in firefighters

The occupational performance and effectiveness of firefighters are contingent on their mental health and adequate family functioning; hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of mindfulness in explaining the causal relationship between basic psychological needs and family functioning among firefighters.

Methods and Materials:

The current study was applied in objective and correlational in method, using structural equation modeling. The research population included firefighters who were serving in the fire departments of the cities of Islamshahr, Baharestan, and Robat Karim during the winter of 2022 and spring of 2023, had been married for at least one year, and had a minimum of twoyears of experience in firefighting. Based on the opinion of Hoyle and Kramar (2004), the sample size was estimated to be 240, which was increased to 300 considering the probability of dropout. The sampling method was non-random, convenient, and voluntary. Measurement tools included the Family Assessment Device (FAD) (Epsteinet al., 1980), the Basic Needs Satisfaction in General Scale (BNSG-S) (Gagne, Deci, & Ryan, 2000), and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (Baer, 2003). Data were analyzedusing structural equation modeling.

The total path coefficient between basic psychological needs and family functioning (β = -0.363) and between mindfulness and family functioning (β = -0.308) were both negative and significant. The direct (β = -0.256) and indirect (β = -0.107) path coefficients between basic psychological needs and family functioning were also negative and significant.

The results indicated that mindfulness plays a significant mediating role in the causal relationship between family functioning and basic psychological needs.