Impact of Job - Specific Stressors on Psychological Health of Police Personnel

A police personnel job is more stressful in comparison with other occupations (Goodman, 1990). With the advent of globalization, the opportunities of coming together for committing organized crimes have increased, along with international implications of crimes involving drugs, trafficking, intellectual frauds and cyber-crimes like phishing. The term “stress” was coined by Hans Selye in 1936, who defined it as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change”. Stress is defined as a state of mental and emotional pressure or strain, caused by challenging or unfavorable circumstances. It is an outside force that rules an individual’s feelings and behavior. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (1999) defines stress as ‘The harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, needs of the worker’. However, it has been strongly argues that the job performance of a police officer is affected when they undergo chronic stress. (McGreedy,1974). “Police stress” refers to the negative pressure related to police work. Whereas, stressor is a particular circumstance, requirement, or situation that can induce stress, a biochemical change in behavioral, physiological, and/or psychological health. Since police personnel’s are subjected to high levels of stress on everyday basis, it is important their stressors are handled efficiently. Therefore, it is important for them to use positive coping strategies and focus on improving their overall wellbeing.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study are:

1. To study the perception of respondents related to police stressors and mental health based on their gender, marital status, age and educational qualification.
2. To study the impact of police stressors on mental health (social dysfunction, anxiety and depression and loss of confidence).
3. To frame strategies to reduce stress among police personnel and improve psychological health of police personnel.

HYPOTHESES

The various hypotheses formulated are as follows:

H1: There is a significant difference in the perception of respondents related to police stressors and mental health due to their marital status.

H2: There is a significant difference in the perception of respondents related to police stressors and mental health due to their gender.

H3: There is a significant difference in the perception of respondents related to police stressors and mental health due to their age.

H4: There is a significant difference in the perception of respondents related to police stressors and mental health due to their educational qualification.

H5: Police stress significantly impacts the mental health of police personnel (social dysfunction, anxiety and depression and loss of confidence).

METHOD

Sample

• Sample Area: The area covered for collecting information regarding the study was Jammu Division.
• Sample Size: The sample size was of 45 police personnel.
• Sampling Technique: The sampling technique used in this study was cluster sampling.

Statistical Tools

The statistical tools used in this study were independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1: Marital Status-wise t-test results for Police Stressors and Mental Health

Table 2: Gender-wise t-test results for Police Stressors and Mental Health

Table 3: Age wise ANOVA results for Police Stressors and Mental Health