Investigating Mindfulness and Decision-Making under Stress Using Immersive Virtual Reality Firefighting Scenarios

Abstract

First responders, including firefighters, must maintain focused attention and make high-quality decisions under time pressure, with incomplete information, and rapidly evolving hazards. Their actions directly impact the safety and survival of civilians and fellow emergency responders. The aim of this study was to examine how trait mindfulness moderates the relationship between decision-making style (deliberative versus intuitive) and state mindfulness among firefighting incident commanders in immersive virtual reality emergency scenarios. Based on Klein's Recognition-Primed Decision model of naturalistic decision-making and the dual-process theory, as well as the concept of mindfulness, we hypothesize that higher trait mindfulness is associated with higher state mindfulness across scenarios, independent of decision-making style (H1). Additionally, trait mindfulness is expected to moderate the relationship between decision-making style and state mindfulness during these scenarios (H2). Sixty firefighters completed two immersive virtual reality scenarios while their decision-making style, trait mindfulness, and state mindfulness were assessed. Linear moderation analysis revealed a significant main effect of trait mindfulness on state mindfulness, as well as a significant interaction between decision-making style in the scenarios and trait mindfulness. The results suggest that higher trait mindfulness is associated with greater state mindfulness, especially among deliberative decision makers. Additionally, they support the concept that mindfulness serves as a protective resource in firefighters. The results also extend naturalistic decision-making theories by demonstrating how trait mindfulness can reduce effects of distractions and enhance present-moment awareness. Further research is needed to investigate causal mechanisms, generalize the findings to other groups of first responders, and develop interventions, such as real-time biofeedback systems.

Keywords: First Responders, Decision-making, Mindfulness, Virtual Reality, Stress Response

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007362