Risk factors for stress among police officers: A systematic literature review

Stress and depression among male police officers in Taiwan: Severity, determinants, and coping strategies

BACKGROUND

Police work, known for its high stress, exhibits elevated depression rates.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores stress and depression in male officers, examining personality traits, coping strategies, family, and social support. Aligned with the diathesis-stress hypothesis and job demands-resources model, it aims to illuminate these factors in policing.

METHODS

Two hundred and sixty-four male police officers from Yunlin, Taiwan were enrolled in this study. Structured measurements of stress level, depression symptoms, personality traits, family functioning, and social support were made. We used multiple regression analysis to assess predictors of stress level and depression and identified coping strategies used by the police officers.

RESULTS

Of the 264 male police officers, 36.4% had clinically significant depression. Occupational stress was mostly related to organizational factors. Multivariate regression analyses showed that age, personality traits, officer's rank, and period of education obtained could predict police officers' occupational stress. Personality traits, social support, occupational stress, and period of education obtained could predict depression. The most frequently used coping strategies were drinking and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study support the diathesis-stress hypothesis and the job demands-resources model. Enhancing male police officers' mental well-being requires addressing key factors like social support and occupational stress. Strategic measures, such as mental health education, destigmatization, counseling, and community-building, are vital. Policymakers should collaborate with mental health professionals for tailored interventions, fostering a healthier work environment.

Prevalence of work-related burnout and associated factors among police officers in central Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023

Introduction

Work-related burnout is a state of physical and psychological fatigue and exhaustion resulting from chronic workplace stress related to work. The police workforce is vulnerable to this psychosocial hazard, which affects service delivery by police workers. However, there is little evidence about the prevalence of work-related burnout and associated factors among police officers in Ethiopia. Therefore, this research investigated the prevalence and predictor variables of work-related burnout among police officers in central Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out from April 12 to May 12, 2023. A sample of 633 police officers was recruited through multistage random sampling techniques. To measure work-related burnout, a standardized, self-administered Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used. To enter the collected data, EpiData V 4.6 and to analyze SPSS V 26 were used. To examine the association between work-related burnout and its predictor variables, both bivariable (p < 0.2) and multivariable (<0.05) logistic regression analyses were performed, and statistical significance was established via multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The response rate in this study was 96.05% (n = 608). The majority, 452 (74.3%) of the police officers, were male; the median (IQR) age of participants was 28. In the past six months, 45.7% of the police officers had experienced work-related burnout (n = 278). Being female, having a high job demand, having a high level of organizational police stress, having a moderate level of operational police stress, having a high level of operational police stress, experiencing job dissatisfaction, and sleeping troubles were risk factors significantly related to the occurrence of work-related burnout among police officers.

Conclusion

According to this study, a significant number of police officers suffer from burnout due to their work. Police officers' work-related burnout was found to be influenced by factors such as sex, job demands, job satisfaction, workplace stress, organizational police stress, and sleeping troubles. To address this problem, improving the handling of work pressure, developing a stress management program, finding joy at work by improving interpersonal relationships and working conditions, offering support and inspiration to female police officers, and ensuring sufficient and restful sleep are advised.

Relationship between socio-descriptive characteristics, burnout syndrome, and quality of life of employees

Introduction

Burnout syndrome develops as a consequence of chronic stress among employees. The study objective was to examine what socio-descriptive characteristics of employees might be associated with the appearance of the occupational burnout and to evaluate the relationship between job burnout and the quality of life among security employees of the professional private security sector in Central Serbia.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis and ANOVA post choc test was applied.

Results

A total of 353 respondents (330 male and 23 female) participated in the study. Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of emotional exhaustion while male sex, higher education, and managerial position were associated with higher personal achievement and lower risk of total burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with a lower quality of life of employees. A significant negative correlation was found between total burnout and the Physical Health Composite Score (PHC) score with a correlation coefficient (rs) of -0.265 (95%CI from -0.361 to -0.163); between total burnout and the and Mental Health Composite Score (MHC) score with a rs of -0.391 (95%CI from -0.480 to -0.301); and between total burnout and TQL score with a rs of -0.351 (95%CI from -0.445 to -0.258).

Conclusion

Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of EE while a managerial position and higher education were protective factors in relation to the development of burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with a lower quality of life of the employees. Shift work significantly reduced the total quality of life, while managerial positions increased the quality of life.

Psychosocial risks and their consequences on health and job satisfaction among Spanish police officers

BACKGROUND

Police officers are exposed to risk and violence, which makes their work highly stressful. According to the Job Demand-Resource model, the working conditions of police officers may affect their health and job satisfaction. The aims of this research were to evaluate the psychosocial factors at work in a sample of municipal police officers from the Valencian Community (Spain) to identify the prevalence of psychosocial risks and their consequences and analyse the influence of psychosocial factors (resource and demands) at work on job satisfaction and health.

METHODS

The Unidad de Investigación Psicosocial de la Conducta Organizacional (UNIPSICO) battery was used to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of different levels of risk and their consequences in police officers (n=103). The influence of psychosocial factors (resource and demands) at work on psychosomatic disorders and job satisfaction was examined using stepwise regression analysis.

RESULTS

All considered variables showed moderate levels of psychosocial risk for the whole sample. As for the consequences of psychosocial risks, moderate levels of psychosomatic disorders and job satisfaction were also observed. Perceived stress levels and organizational stressors have a negative effect on health and job satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

To create positive conditions for the health and well-being of police officers, real commitment is required when evaluating psychosocial risks in local police organizations and the establishment of prevention and intervention measures where psychosocial risk factors are detected.

Physical Activity, Occupational Stress, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Law Enforcement Officers: A Cross-sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the interrelationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), occupational stress, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in law enforcement officers (LEOs).

METHODS

A total of 229 LEOs completed a survey assessing their LTPA level, occupational stress, and CVD risk factors.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age and sex, physically inactive LEOs are more likely to have one or more CVD risk factors. While high occupational stress was associated with greater odds of CVD risk factors in physically inactive LEOs, stress was not significantly associated with the prevalence of CVD risk factors in active LEOs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that occupational stress is associated with the prevalence of CVD risk factors in LEOs. Nevertheless, LTPA might have the potential to mitigate the impact of occupational stress on CVD risk factors.

Psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with burnout in police officers: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The specific factors that may influence burnout levels in police officers are not yet clear. Our aim was to systematically identify the psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with burnout among police officers.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A protocol was registered in PROSPERO. A search strategy was applied to Medline via OvidSP, PsycInfo, Scopus and Web of Science. The quality assessment entailed the use of the CASP checklist for cohort studies. The data was reported through a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

After removing studies based on the selection criteria, 41 studies were included in this review. The findings were synthesized under the following subheadings: socio-demographic; organisational; operational; individual and coping strategies. Organisational and operational factors were found to be risk factors for burnout. Individual factors and coping strategies revealed risk and protective factors. Social interaction-related factors were mostly protective. Socio-demographic factors were weak in explaining burnout.

LIMITATIONS

Most studies are from high-income countries. Not all used the same burnout measurement tool. All relied on self-reported data. Lastly, 98 % had a cross-sectional design, causal inferences could not be made.

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout, despite being strictly defined as an occupational phenomenon, is related to factors outside of this context. Future research should focus on examining the reported associations by using more robust designs. More attention must be paid to police officers' mental health by investing in developing strategies to mitigate adverse factors and maximise the effects of protective factors.

Predictors, Mediators and Moderators of Police Work-Related Stress: A Scoping Review

Owing to the complication in organisation, the dangerous job nature and the rise of demonstrations and protests across the world in the past decade, police work-related stress has become a topic of global concern. This review aimed to provide an understanding of predictors, mediators and moderators of police work-related stress from a multi-level perspective. Using a scoping review approach underpinned by the six-stage methodological framework, studies were found from six electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Sociological Abstracts, Scopus, PsycINFO and PsychiatryOnline) and grey literature sources. Thirty studies were yielded across 35,446 participants from 12 locations. This review contributes to a systematic understanding of the factors affecting police work-related stress by identifying six predictors, four mediators and three moderators. It then discusses limitations and future research.

Associations between menopause and body image: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The menopausal transition involves multiple biological and psychosocial challenges that may render middle-aged women vulnerable to body image concerns.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to summarize evidence on the associations between menopause and body image perception in healthy middle-aged women.

DESIGN

This study is a systematic review of observational studies.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

Menopause-related exposure measures included menopausal stages, menopausal symptoms, and reproductive hormone levels during the menopausal transition. Studies investigating body image as an outcome, including through a positive (e.g. body self-esteem) or negative (e.g. body dissatisfaction) lens, were considered eligible. Articles published before March 2023 were identified through MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase and underwent double screening, extraction, and quality assessment by two independent investigators. Characteristics and results were summarized using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

A total of 820 non-duplicate records were identified, with 18 observational studies deemed eligible for inclusion after full-text screening. All studies investigating menopausal symptoms and body image (n = 6) found some significant association between them, with a higher frequency, intensity, or number of symptoms being associated with greater body image concern. Differences in body image perception between menopausal stages were inconsistent across studies (n = 12), while evidence of potential associations between reproductive hormones and body image was minimal (n = 2). Findings should be interpreted with caution as 17 of the included studies used a cross-sectional design, and not all studies adjusted their analyses for relevant confounders.

CONCLUSION

Overall, menopausal symptoms showed relatively consistent associations with a more negative body image perception. Additional research is required to understand the potential role of menopausal stages and reproductive hormone levels in the body image perception of middle-aged women and to confirm the direction of reported associations.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO-CRD42021241637.

THE IMPACT OF PROFESSIONAL STRESS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To investigate the impact of professional stress on the mental health of law enforcement officers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The research involved two groups of law enforcement officers (aged 25-40): the first group with up to 7 years of service activities (n = 52), the second group - 8-15 years (n = 48). Research methods: bibliosemantic, questionnaire, testing, method of system analysis and generalization, mathematical and statistical.

RESULTS

Results: It was found that law enforcement officers of both groups identified indicators of a significant professional workload, lack of adequate rest, and the nature of communication with participants in professional relationships among the factors of professional stress. It is proved that the mental health of law enforcement officers deteriorates under the influence of professional stress with the experience of their professional activities. Law enforcement officers with 8-15 years of service experience have significantly (p < 0.05-0.001) worse indicators of anxiety, aggressiveness, motivation, personal detachment, impulsive¬ness, vigor, and work efficiency.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: It was established that the professional stress of law enforcement officers is the result of an imbalance between the internal resources of the individual and the requirements of the external environment, embodied in the peculiarities of law enforcement activities. Law enforcement officers are char¬acterized by the presence of professional stress of average and high severity, which increases with the experience of their service activities. A set of measures was proposed to provide psychological assistance to law enforcement officers to effectively counteract professional stress and improve their mental health.

Influence of psychosocial factors at work on the non-departmental security officers of the National Guard of the Russian Federation

   An analysis of modern research has shown insufficient study of the labor factors that influence the development of various functional states of non-departmental security officers which allow to develop the recommendations to improve their psychological safety.   The aim of the study. To identify and to describe psychosocial factors at work in relation to the general functional state of the body, stress and performance of non-departmental security officers.   Methods. We used the General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work (QPSNordic), psychophysiological testing using “Psychophysiologist” device, M. Lüscher color preference test, multivariate statistical methods. The study involved 74 non-departmental security officers of the Arkhangelsk region.   Results. The general functional state of the body, stress and performance, measured by objective and projective methods, are differentially interconnected with psychosocial factors at work. The general functional state of the body is related with the personal attitude to the work performed; stress and performance – with factors of social support, organizational culture and work requirements. The general functional state of non-departmental security officers is favorably influenced by such factors as understanding the goals of the work performed and the expected results, satisfaction with the quality of work and labor safety. Insufficient ability to maintain good relations with the team unfavorably influences the general functional state of the officers. The factors of work intensity include one-type tasks, tight schedule, increased alertness during work and greater precision in movements. Risk factors are associated with strict working hours and insufficient attention of the manage-ment to the opinion and interests of subordinates. At the same time, the environmental resource is the possibility of realizing professional motives and demonstrating mastery in work, as well as a favorable organizational culture.

Police officers' work-life balance, job satisfaction and quality of life: longitudinal effects after changing the shift schedule

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate mental health-related outcomes of police officers 5.5 years after implementing a new alternating shift schedule which was supposed to improve their health and work-life balance.

DESIGN

Pre-post study design with a baseline survey at the beginning of the piloting of the new shift schedule in 2015 and another survey 5.5 years later in 2020.

SETTING

Police departments of a German metropolitan police force piloting the new shift schedule.

PARTICIPANTS

116 shift-working police officers out of a population of 1673 police officers at the follow-up date.

INTERVENTIONS

New shift schedule based on occupational health recommendations.

OUTCOMES MEASURES

Work-life balance, job satisfaction and quality of life.

METHODS

Mixed analyses of variances were used to test the hypotheses of within-subject and between-subject differences regarding time and gender.

RESULTS

We found partly significant differences between the baseline and follow-up survey for work-life balance (F(1, 114) = 6.168, p=0.014, η_p² = 0.051), job satisfaction (F(1, 114) = 9.921, p=0.002, η_p² = 0.080) and quality of life (F(1, 114) = 0.593, p=0.443, η_p² = 0.005). Neither significant differences between male and female police officers nor interaction effects of time and gender were found.

CONCLUSION

An increase was found for each of the three outcomes 5.5 years after implementing the new shift schedule. The results contribute to the current state of research on mental health-related outcomes of working conditions in shift work. On this basis, recommendations for designing shift schedules can be deduced to promote mental health and job satisfaction for employees in shift work.

Evolution of work ability, quality of life and self-rated health in a police department after remodelling shift schedule

Background

There exists a great diversity of schedules concerning the way shift work is organized and implemented with ample agreement regarding recommendable features of a shift system. In order to adapt the shift schedule of a metropolitan police department to current recommendations, a remodelled shift schedule was introduced in 2015. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential associations between the remodelled shift schedule and work ability, quality of life and self-rated health after one and five years.

Methods

A controlled before-and- after study was conducted during the piloting phase (2015–2016) as well as a 5-year follow-up using paper questionnaires. Outcome parameters included work ability, quality of life and self-rated health.

Results

Work ability, quality of life and self-rated health improved after the first year of the newly implemented shift schedule among police officers working in the piloting police stations compared to those working according to the former schedule. In 5-year follow-up differences between indicators diminished.

Conclusions

The implementation of a remodelled shift schedule including more 12-h shifts accompanied by more days off and a coherent weekend off duty was not associated with detrimental effects to work ability, quality of life or self-reported health among police officers.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14098-5.

Burnout Syndrome and Related Factors in Mexican Police Workforces

Burnout (BO) is a response to prolonged exposure to work-related stressors characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). The police working environment includes continued critical life-threatening situations, violence, and injuries, among other related factors putting them at high risk of distress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between Burnout Syndrome and sociodemographic, occupational, and health factors in Mexican police officers. We applied the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) to 351 active members of the Mexican police workforce. In addition, a specific questionnaire identified the presence of chronic degenerative diseases, hypertension, diabetes, digestive diseases, self-perception of food quality, and hours of sleep. Furthermore, 23.36% of police workforces presented high levels of burnout; 44.16% of police were highly emotionally exhausted, 49.29% had lost empathy with people, and 41.03% presented low personal achievement. Moreover, the worst levels of the syndrome were present in people with a poor self-perceived health status, poor perception of diet quality, without regular mealtimes, bad sleep habits, and elevated Body Mass Index. Data suggest that in Mexican police officers, BO is dimensionally different from all other groups previously studied (DP > EE > PA).