AbstractThis study aimed to explore the challenges of Malaysian firefighters, the impact of the
challenges, and to understand the coping strategies. The study adopted a qualitative
research method through semi-structured interviews with 23 firefighters in the central
region of Malaysia, consisting of 8 supervisors and 15 subordinates. Findings suggest
that two superordinate themes emerged relating to challenges, workplace challenges
and personal challenges, which are aligned with the affective experience as explained
through AET. The challenges impact the firefighters psychologically, which is aligned
with the affective reaction as explained by the AET but further divided into mental and
physiological, emotional as well as behavioural and psychosocial impacts. The findings
also suggest the coping strategies were derived based on emotion-focused coping,
problem-focused coping, and serving both emotion-focused and problem-focused,
reflected through social support. By uncovering the th.....