This study examined the relationship maintenance strategies used between firefighters and their spouses. Fourteen firefighter-spouse pairs were interviewed about how firefighters maintain closeness with their spouse while on and off duty. The findings showed that firefighters utilized open communication, mediated communication like phone calls and texts, and involvement of spouses in their work life to maintain connection while on duty. When at home, shared family activities and emphasizing quality time together helped firefighters strengthen their relationships with their spouses. The study provided insight into how stress from separation is managed in these relationships through active maintenance behaviors.

1. Burning Love
An Examination of Relational Maintenance Behaviors
Utilized in the Firefighter-Spouse Relationship
Megan Goosey, Ghada ElHaffar, Caitlin Lauer, and
Emily Titus

2. Introduction
• Examination of Relational Maintenance Behaviors Utilized in the
Firefighter-Spouse Relationship
• To identify the relationship maintenance strategies used between
firefighters and their spouse

3. Relationship Maintenance
• The maintenance of close interpersonal relationships
-Positivity, openness, assurances, networking, and sharing tasks
• Provide insight to spouses and fire administrators, gain more
understanding of interpersonal relationships

4. Research Question
• How do firefighters utilize relational maintenance techniques with
their spouses while on duty?

5. Participants
• 14 participants
• Between the ages of 24 and 49 (M = 35.9 years)
• Full time firefighters between 6 months and 37 years (M = 7 years )
• Spouses ranged in age from 24-49 years (M = 35.9 years)
• Participants were married from 4 months-32 years (M = ?)
• 10 of the couples had children

6. Procedure
• Qualitative Interviews (4 phone interviews and 10 face to face
interviews, interviews took place at the fire station)
• Range of interview times (with average length)
• 78 single spaced interview transcriptions

7. Findings
RQ: How do firefighters utilize relational maintenance techniques with their spouses
while on duty?
Maintenance Strategies While At Work:
Firefighter’s efforts to maintain a sense of connection and closeness
with their spouse while at work
Subthemes included: Openness, Mediated Communication, and
Relationship between Spouse and Work

8. Findings
• RQ: How do firefighters utilize relational maintenance techniques with their
spouses while on duty?
• Maintenance Strategies While At Home
• Strategies that involve the firefighter’s efforts to maintain a sense of
closeness and connection with their spouses and families while at
home.
• Subthemes included: Family dynamics, Shared activities with spouse

9. Discussion
• Relational maintenance strategies must exist in order to maintain the
relationship.
• “Communication is key”
• The study highlighted the stressors being away from the spouse, and
how they maintained closeness while on and off the job.

10. Discussion
• Two Limitation's:
• -Sex of the firefighters
• -Family Dynamic
• Future Research:
• -Children of fire fighters
• -Spouses of the fire fighters

11. Burning Love
An Examination of Relational
Maintenance Behaviors Utilized in the
Firefighter-Spouse Relationship
Megan Goosey, Ghada ElHaffar, Caitlin Lauer, and
Emily Titus