Anxiety evaluation in a sample of firefighters applicants after exposure to critical incidents using donated bodies

Firefighters are a group of professionals who face high-stress situations that can have a significant impact on their psychological well-being. This work presents the results obtained in research with firefighter candidates of the Madrid City Council. The considered group was composed by 86 persons (100% males) aged between 22 and 41. The change of emotional states of the candidates was evaluated after exposure to different situations with real cadavers through a questionnaire of state and trait anxiety. A statistical analysis has been conducted to analyse the anxiety caused by exposure to real cadavers in work-related situations. Anxiety results to be a significant problem affecting firefighters due to the demanding nature of their job. Results show significant differences in the indicators used, reaching higher levels of anxiety after exposure to shocking situations with human cadavers.