How Police Effectively Cope with Stress Stemming from Work
Brandon J. Siebert
CJUS 491 Final Research Paper
How Police Effectively Cope With Stress Stemming From Work
Dr. Gary Keveles
Police work is unique and unlike most other professions. Law enforcement personnel are subject to encounter many different experiences, situations where physical danger, injury and even death are situations that are commonly seen by law enforcement in the field. On top of all of these potential stressors are certain organizational stressors. Some of these could include negative public perception and pressures from departmental officials. All of these combined stressors can lead to suicide, divorce and family discord. The significance of the problems presented by police stressors bring about some very important issues that need to be addressed. Since officers are held to a greater responsibility in society, officers that cannot cope with work stressors effectively pose a great threat to themselves, to co-workers and to the public. (Webb and Smith, 1980 Pg. 2) This failure to cope with stressors effectively has resulted in increased rates of heart disease, stomach disorders, divorce, alcohol and drug abuse and suicide compared to other professions. (Anshel 2000, Pg. 376) Overall police officers may be at an increased risk for negative psychological outcomes because of an increased likelihood of using disassociation as a defense against the effects of the stress that their job presents. (Aaron 2000, Pg. 439) This disassociation is an ineffective strategy. (Aaron 2000, Pg. 439) In this research article a number of coping strategies will be discussed. These strategies are placed into four main categories and will be looked at as independent variables. These independent variables include; problem focused coping, emotional focused coping, religiosity and rugged individualism. All of these independent variables are found to be ways of coping with stress; this article will focus on which one, or the combination of, is the most effective.
CJUS 491 Final Research Paper
How Police Effectively Cope With Stress Stemming From Work
Dr. Gary Keveles
Police work is unique and unlike most other professions. Law enforcement personnel are subject to encounter many different experiences, situations where physical danger, injury and even death are situations that are commonly seen by law enforcement in the field. On top of all of these potential stressors are certain organizational stressors. Some of these could include negative public perception and pressures from departmental officials. All of these combined stressors can lead to suicide, divorce and family discord. The significance of the problems presented by police stressors bring about some very important issues that need to be addressed. Since officers are held to a greater responsibility in society, officers that cannot cope with work stressors effectively pose a great threat to themselves, to co-workers and to the public. (Webb and Smith, 1980 Pg. 2) This failure to cope with stressors effectively has resulted in increased rates of heart disease, stomach disorders, divorce, alcohol and drug abuse and suicide compared to other professions. (Anshel 2000, Pg. 376) Overall police officers may be at an increased risk for negative psychological outcomes because of an increased likelihood of using disassociation as a defense against the effects of the stress that their job presents. (Aaron 2000, Pg. 439) This disassociation is an ineffective strategy. (Aaron 2000, Pg. 439) In this research article a number of coping strategies will be discussed. These strategies are placed into four main categories and will be looked at as independent variables. These independent variables include; problem focused coping, emotional focused coping, religiosity and rugged individualism. All of these independent variables are found to be ways of coping with stress; this article will focus on which one, or the combination of, is the most effective.
References: Aaron, J. D. (2000). Stress and Coping in Officers. Police Quarterly, 438-450. Anshel, M. H. (2000). A Conceptual Model and Implications for Coping with Stressful Events in Police Work. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 375-400. Beehr, T. A., Johnson, L. B., & Nieva, R. (1995). Occupational Stress: Coping of Police and Their Spouses. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 3-25. Gershon, R. R., Barocas, B., Canton, A. N., Li, X., & Vlahov, D. (2009). Mental, Physical, and Behavioral Outcomes Associated With Percieved Work Stress in Police Officers. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 275-289. Kohan, A., & Mazmanian, D. (2003). Police Work, Burnout, and Pro-Organizational Behavior; A Consideration of Daily Work Experiences. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 559-583. Webb, S., & Smith, D. L. (1980). Stress Prevention and Alleviation Strategies for the Police. Criminal Justice Review, 1-15.