# Emotional Sensitivity and Work Performance in Lima Firefighters

## TL;DR

The study found that higher emotional sensitivity, especially positive and negative types, is linked to lower work performance in Lima firefighters, with differences observed between males and females.

## Contribution

The study introduces sex-specific insights into how emotional sensitivity affects work performance in firefighters using structural equation modeling.

## Key findings

- Positive Emotional Sensitivity showed the strongest negative association with work performance.
- Males exhibited stronger negative links between sensitivity and contextual performance.
- Females showed a greater impact of Negative Egocentric Sensitivity on task-related outcomes.

## Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the relationship between emotional sensitivity and work performance in firefighters from Metropolitan Lima, considering potential differences by sex.

A cross‐sectional, predictive, and non‐experimental design was applied with a sample of 366 firefighters. Participants completed the Emotional Sensitivity Scale and the Individual Work Performance Scale. Data analysis included Spearman's correlation and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM).

Results revealed a weak but statistically significant negative correlation between emotional sensitivity and work performance (ρ = –0.19; p = 0.001), with Positive Emotional Sensitivity showing the strongest association (ρ = –0.22; p < 0.001). Among males, Positive Emotional Sensitivity negatively predicted Work Performance in the Context (β = –0.235; f
2 = 0.050), while Negative Egocentric Sensitivity also showed a negative effect (β = –0.190; f
2 = 0.030). For females, Negative Egocentric Sensitivity exerted a stronger negative influence on Work Performance in the Context (β = –0.392; f
2 = 0.133). No significant associations were found between emotional sensitivity and counterproductive behaviors (p > 0.05).

The findings indicate that emotional sensitivity, particularly its positive and negative egocentric forms, may adversely affect work performance in firefighters. These results underscore the importance of developing differentiated emotional regulation and stress management interventions tailored by sex to support occupational performance in high‐demand professions.

This study revealed that emotional sensitivity, particularly its positive and negative egocentric forms, has a negative impact on work performance among firefighters. Using PLS‐SEM, sex differences emerged: Males showed stronger negative links between sensitivity and contextual performance, while females exhibited greater impact on task‐related outcomes. No significant effects were found on counterproductive behaviors. These findings highlight the need for gender‐sensitive interventions in emotional regulation.