“To act normally in most abnormal circumstances”Živoder, Andreja (Avtor) Vuga Beršnak, Janja (Avtor) Humer, Živa (Avtor) first responderscrisis situationscopingafective dimensionscognitive dimensionsbehavioural dimensionsqualitative researchFirst responders (FRs) routinely work in highly stressful and potentially traumatic environments, yet relatively little is known about how they experience and manage crisis situations across different dimensions of coping. Drawing on 31 in-depth interviews with healthcare workers, police officers, and military personnel in Slovenia, this study examines coping through an analytical framework that distinguishes affective, cognitive, and behavioural dimensions of response. The findings show that coping extends beyond specific adaptive or maladaptive strategies and involves emotional reactions, cognitive appraisals, behavioural practices, organisational resources, and social relationships. At the affective level, participants described fear, uncertainty, shock, adrenaline-driven responses, and longer-term consequences such as fatigue and burnout. The cognitive dimension involved meaning-making, situational appraisal, professional identity, and negotiating societal expectations, while behavioural coping centred on maintaining operational functioning and facilitating recovery through peer support, family relationships, physical activity, and other coping practices. The study demonstrates that coping among FRs is a multidimensional process embedded within organisational and social contexts, highlighting the importance of moving beyond individual coping strategies when designing interventions to strengthen resilience and psychological wellbeing.20262026-11-06 09:57:07Članek v reviji190885slSlovenija;