The role of emotional labor in occupational identity and work engagement among Portuguese firefighters: implications for crisis management

To examine how emotional labor demands and strategies influence work engagement and occupational identity among Portuguese volunteer firefighters. Participants completed the Emotional Work Requirements Scale, Emotional Labour Scale, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and Social Identity Scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictive effects of emotional labor demands and strategies on work engagement and occupational identity. Emotional labor explained 11.8 % of the variance in work engagement and 10.9 % in occupational identity. Positive emotion expression significantly predicted higher work engagement and a stronger occupational identity, while the suppression of negative emotions predicted a weaker occupational identity. Other emotional labor dimensions were not significant. Findings underscore the dual role of emotional labor—as a resource when positive emotions are expressed and as a strain when negative emotions are habitually suppressed. Targeted interventions to promote authentic positive expression and effective emotional processing may enhance firefighters’ well-being, strengthen crisis team performance, and benefit the communities they serve. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of emotional labor in crisis response contexts.