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Kim J, Jang J, Park B, Kim I. Mental COP: Mental Health Cohort Of Police officers in Korea. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082010. [PMID: 38925686 PMCID: PMC11202741 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This cohort study addresses the need for comprehensive and longitudinal research on police officers' mental health, focusing on the relationship between occupational factors, individual characteristics and mental health status or suicidality. The Mental COP (Mental health Cohort Of Police officers in Korea) research provides important insights by tracking new police officers over time, contributing to evidence-based interventions and policies to improve their overall mental health and working conditions. PARTICIPANTS Mental Cop is a prospective open cohort study designed for new police officers for police recruitment, expected to graduate after 8 months of education at the Central Police Academy. To date, 6752 individuals have completed the baseline survey and are enrolled in the cohort. FINDING TO DATE The study data in Mental COP covered a wide range of issues for first responders, including personal factors, various mental health problems, occupational factors and measured biomarkers of allostatic load, including Heart Rate Variability. The main findings indicate a lower prevalence of mental health problems among those selected as new police officers compared with the general population with notable gender differences. Therefore, closer monitoring of women is required. Furthermore, the study revealed cohort-based differences in mental health, highlighting increased risk related to occupational factors (field training) and the management of vulnerable groups. FUTURE PLANS Another wave of Mental COP is scheduled for December 2023, with plans for future cohort expansion. Additionally, it will establish a more comprehensive and systematic scientific framework for future investigations by integrating broader medical examinations and National Health Insurance Service Data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joungsue Kim
- Department of Public Health, General Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jungwon Jang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Boyoung Park
- Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seongdong-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Inah Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
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Grau-Alberola E, Berlanga Sánchez A, Figueiredo-Ferraz H. Psychosocial risks and their consequences on health and job satisfaction among Spanish police officers. An Sist Sanit Navar 2024; 47:e1058. [PMID: 38353527 PMCID: PMC10933694 DOI: 10.23938/assn.1058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Greeshma J, Mini GK, Marthanda Pillai A, Irazola V. Cardiovascular disease risk factor prevalence among police officials: findings from a cross-sectional study in Kerala, India. J Occup Health 2024; 66:uiae025. [PMID: 38713917 PMCID: PMC11195579 DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Police officials' stressful and physically demanding activities reportedly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study explored the prevalence of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and overweight among police officials in Kerala, India. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 police officials in selected police stations in the Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The World Health Organization STEPs questionnaire for noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance was used to collect information. We collected STEP 1 (demographics, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet) and STEP 2 (weight, height, and blood pressure) data. Multivariable analysis was done to identify factors associated with hypertension. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 42 years (range: 30-55 years) and the majority were men (83.5%). Current use of tobacco or alcohol was reported by 22.7% of the participants. The prevalence of overweight was 64.7% and physical inactivity was 35.1%. Self-reported prevalence of diabetes was 7.5% and of hyperlipidemia was 11.4%. Hypertension prevalence was 40.4%. Among hypertensives, 35.9% were aware, 20.4% were treated, and 5.8% had controlled blood pressure. The control rate was 28.6% among treated hypertensives. When controlling for age, diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 3.57; 95% CI: 1.16-10.90), and overweight (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.06-3.35) participants were more likely to have hypertension compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Police officers have a high prevalence of significant CVD risk factors such as hypertension, physical inactivity, and being overweight. These findings reinforce the need for interventions addressing the above risk factors to prevent CVD in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Greeshma
- Global Institute of Public Health, Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - G K Mini
- Global Institute of Public Health, Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental Colleges & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
- Centre for Environment and Development, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - A Marthanda Pillai
- Global Institute of Public Health, Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Vilma Irazola
- Department of Research in Chronic Diseases, Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Yadav B, Bhusal S, K. C. A, Singh Pradhan PM. Occupational stress and environmental impact among traffic police officers in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002174. [PMID: 37988326 PMCID: PMC10662712 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Policing is considered an extremely stressful, physically demanding, and mentally challenging occupation. The growing population with an increasing number of vehicles and the harsh working environment has made the work of traffic police even more stressful. This qualitative study aims to examine work and environment-related stressful factors among traffic police officials of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. This qualitative study used a thematic analysis approach. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with different cadres of 15 traffic police personnel working in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal for at least six months. The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) guideline. The findings of this study are structured around five major themes- workload, work-life balance, basic amenities, work environment and occupational health problems, and possible solutions and suggestions. Most of the participants (10 out of 15) reported having work stress due to the heavy workload and hazardous working conditions that had a significant impact on their job performance and mental well-being. This study highlights the challenges faced by traffic police officers in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The findings suggest that efforts should be made to improve the working environment of traffic police officers to reduce the physical as well as mental burden among them. The occupational health and safety (OHS) and mental well-being of traffic enforcers' is a critical public health issue, therefore, it should be on the agenda of policymakers, organizational leaders, and stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binita Yadav
- Nepal Health Sector Support Program (NHSSP 3), HERD International, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
| | - Sandesh Bhusal
- Nepal Health Frontiers, Tokha-5, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
| | - Anil K. C.
- Abt Associates, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
| | - Pranil Man Singh Pradhan
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Willemin-Petignat L, Anders R, Ogi S, Putois B. Validation and Psychometric Properties of the German Operational and Organizational Police Stress Questionnaires. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6831. [PMID: 37835101 PMCID: PMC10572357 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20196831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Working in the police force is an operationally and organizationally stressful job. Suitable psychometric tools are needed to detect and study the psychosocial risks of these professionals. The original version contains 40 items, which may be too long for clinical use or as a research control measure. The main aim of this study is to validate the Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in German. The secondary objective is to validate a shorter version. METHOD After translation and counter translation of the PSQ-G by a committee of experts, 10 participants pre-tested the comprehension of an intermediate version, allowing the development of a final version that was submitted to a psychometric validation plan with 2314 German-speaking officers. Structure, reliability, and convergent, divergent, and discriminant validities were tested for each sample. RESULTS The German version of the PSQ performed well psychometrically. We have created a short version of 14 items with good psychometric properties, 7 items for each subscale: operational stressors and organizational stressors. CONCLUSION This study validated a German version of the PSQ and provides a reliable measure of stress processes in the police force. A short version is now available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauriane Willemin-Petignat
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, 3900 Brig, Switzerland
- Psychological Service, Bern Police Department, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Royce Anders
- Department of Psychology, Epsylon Laboratory UR4556, University Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Sabrina Ogi
- Faculty of Applied Faculty, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4600 Olten, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Putois
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, 3900 Brig, Switzerland
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, National Centre for Scientific Research UMR 5292—National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1028, 69675 Bron, France
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Goldstein Ferber S, Shoval G, Weller A, Zalsman G. Not one thing at a time: When concomitant multiple stressors produce a transdiagnostic clinical picture. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:402-408. [PMID: 37547732 PMCID: PMC10401502 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i7.402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A condition of exposure to multiple stressors resulting in a mixed clinical picture spanning conventional categories without meeting any of them in full, encompasses a risk for a list of comorbidities preventing appropriate prevention and treatment. New transformative transdiagnostic approaches suggest changes spanning conventional categories. They base their systems of classification on biomarkers as well as on brain structural and functional dysregulation as associated with behavioral and emotional symptoms. These new approaches received critiques for not being specific enough and for suggesting a few biomarkers for psychopathology as a whole. Therefore, they put the value of differential diagnosis at risk of avoiding appropriate derived prevention and treatment. Multiplicity of stressors has been considered mostly during and following catastrophes, without considering the resulting mixed clinical picture and life event concomitant stressors. We herewith suggest a new category within the conventional classification systems: The Complex Stress Reaction Syndrome, for a condition of multiplicity of stressors, which showed a mixed clinical picture for daily life in the post coronavirus disease 2019 era, in the general population. We argue that this condition may be relevant to daily, regular life, across the lifespan, and beyond conditions of catastrophes. We further argue that this condition may worsen without professional care and it may develop into a severe mental health disorder, more costly to health systems and the suffering individuals. Means for derived prevention and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Goldstein Ferber
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
- Psychology and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5317000, Israel
| | - Gal Shoval
- Department of Neuroscience, Princeton University, New Jersey, NJ 08544, United States
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 77096, Israel
| | - Aron Weller
- Psychology and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5317000, Israel
| | - Gil Zalsman
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 77096, Israel
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States
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Anders R, Willemin-Petignat L, Rolli Salathé C, Samson AC, Putois B. Profiling Police Forces against Stress: Risk and Protective Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Burnout in Police Officers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9218. [PMID: 35954576 PMCID: PMC9368562 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Police officers are frequently exposed to highly stressful situations at work and have an increased risk to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout (BO). It is currently not well understood which officers are most at risk to develop these disorders. The aim of this study was to determine which coping strategies and personality traits could act as protective or risk factors in relation to PTSD and BO. The second aim, in the interest of designating preventive and therapeutical measures, was to determine whether certain profiles of police officers could be identified as high risk for developing mental disorders. Herein, 1073 French-speaking police officers in Switzerland reported in an online survey about their PTSD and BO symptoms, anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, coping strategies, occupational stress, and personality factors. The cluster analysis highlighted three principal profiles of police officers: those who are not at risk of developing pathologies because they are not exposed or insensitive to these stressors, and those who are, among which personality and coping strategies oriented the risk of developing PTSD or BO. These same protective and risk factors were also corroborated in the linear and logistic regression analyses. These results may suggest that a crucial opportunity for mitigating mental health issues in the force could consist of screening recruits for risk-related personality traits and orienting them towards psychological training programs for the development of functional coping strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Royce Anders
- EPSYLON Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, F34000 Montpellier, France
- EMC Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, University of Lyon 2, F69500 Bron, France
| | | | - Cornelia Rolli Salathé
- Faculty of Psychology, Unidistance Suisse, 3900 Brig, Switzerland; (C.R.S.); (A.C.S.); (B.P.)
- Occupational Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Andrea C. Samson
- Faculty of Psychology, Unidistance Suisse, 3900 Brig, Switzerland; (C.R.S.); (A.C.S.); (B.P.)
- Institute of Special Education, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Putois
- Faculty of Psychology, Unidistance Suisse, 3900 Brig, Switzerland; (C.R.S.); (A.C.S.); (B.P.)
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM, CNRS, University of Lyon 1, F69675 Bron, France
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Does dispositional self-control moderate the association between stress at work and physical activity after work? A real-life study with police officers. GERMAN JOURNAL OF EXERCISE AND SPORT RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12662-022-00810-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Psychosocial stress is a major health threat in modern society. Short-term effects of stress on health behaviors have been identified as relevant processes. This article examines the moderating effect of dispositional self-control on the association between stress at work and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) after work.
Methods
In a sample of 153 police officers (103 men, 50 women, mean age = 39.3 ± 10.4 years), daily occupational stress and hours worked were assessed via ecological momentary assessment (smartphone-based single item) in real-life. Dispositional self-control was assessed via an online questionnaire, whereas physical activity was assessed via accelerometry. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was performed to test main and interaction effects.
Results
Bivariate correlations showed that perceived stress at work was positively correlated with hours worked (r = 0.24, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.09, 0.39]), whereas a negative association was found with dispositional self-control (r = −0.27, p < 0.001, 95% CI [−0.41, −0.12]). After-work MVPA was neither associated with stress at work nor with dispositional self-control. The regression analysis yielded no significant interaction between stress at work and dispositional self-control on after-work MVPA.
Conclusion
Using a state-of-the-art ecological momentary assessment approach to assess feelings of stress in real-life, stress at work did not seem to impact after-work MVPA in police officers. More research is needed to establish whether this finding is specific to police officers or whether it can be generalized to other populations.
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Herrmann A, Glaser J. Work Characteristics and Psychosomatic Health Complaints of Private Security Personnel. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ARBEITS-UND ORGANISATIONSPSYCHOLOGIE 2021. [DOI: 10.1026/0932-4089/a000351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The present study reports a broad perspective on work characteristics related to private security work and identified predictors of health impairments in a German-speaking sample ( N = 683). Occupational conditions, exposure to violence/aggression, and psychosocial work characteristics each significantly explained incremental variance in psychosomatic complaints. Detailed findings revealed that average weekly working hours (and unusual working hours) substantially exceeded those of other service sector occupations (or the general population) in Germany. Exposure to violence/aggression was also substantial in regard to the European average. Participants reported low social status, promotion opportunities, and pay while their work offered substantial learning demands. Possibilities to acquire relevant skills, supervisor feedback, job control, or participation opportunities seem to provide little support at work. Excessive working hours, worries about violence, social status, and lone work emerged among the strongest predictors of psychosomatic complaints. Additionally, unusual working hours and job stressors (physical workload, quality impairments) increased the prevalence of psychosomatic complaints.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jürgen Glaser
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Austria
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Colgan DD, Eddy A, Bowen S, Christopher M. Mindful Nonreactivity Moderates the Relationship between Chronic Stress and Pain Interference in Law Enforcement Officers. JOURNAL OF POLICE AND CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 36:56-62. [PMID: 34421195 PMCID: PMC8372831 DOI: 10.1007/s11896-019-09336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With high levels of both chronic stress and chronic pain, law enforcement provides a unique population in which to study the potential mitigating impact of cognitive and affective reactivity on the stress-pain link. The primary aim of the present study was to examine the moderating role of mindful nonreactivity in the relationship between chronic stress and pain interference in law enforcement officers (n = 60). METHODS A regression analysis was conducted to determine if chronic stress predicted pain interference, and subsequently, to compute an estimate of the interaction effect of the chronic stress and mindful nonreactivity on pain interference. RESULTS Results demonstrated the overall model was significant, F (3,55) = 5.29, p =.003, R2 = .47. When controlling for mindful nonreactivity, chronic stress significantly predicted pain interference, b = .76, t (55) = 3.40, p = .001, such that every one unit increase in chronic stress was associated with a .76 unit increase in pain interference. Results also demonstrated a significant interaction effect of mindful nonreactivity and chronic stress on pain interference, b = -.04, t (55) = -2.86, p = .006. The Johnson-Neyman technique was conducted and revealed among individuals with low levels of mindful nonreactivity, chronic stress significantly predicted pain interference. However, for individuals with greater levels of mindful nonreactivity, chronic stress no longer predicted pain interference. CONCLUSIONS Findings contribute to a growing understanding of how mindfulness can mitigate harmful effects of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Dharmakaya Colgan
- Neurology Department, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Or. 97239
| | - Ashley Eddy
- Pacific University, School of Graduate Psychology, 222 SE 8th Ave, Suite 212, Hillsboro, OR 97123
| | - Sarah Bowen
- Pacific University, School of Graduate Psychology, 222 SE 8th Ave, Suite 212, Hillsboro, OR 97123
| | - Michael Christopher
- Pacific University, School of Graduate Psychology, 222 SE 8th Ave, Suite 212, Hillsboro, OR 97123
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Grover S, Sahoo S, Dua D, Mehra A, Nehra R. Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Duties During Lockdown on Police Personnel and Their Perception About the Behavior of the People: an Exploratory Study from India. Int J Ment Health Addict 2020; 20:831-842. [PMID: 33173448 PMCID: PMC7643718 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00408-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the psychosocial issues among the police personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a web-based cross-sectional survey, 623 police personnel were evaluated on Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) and Perceived stress scale (PSS), and a self-designed questionnaire. 10.6% of the police personnel had significant anxiety and 18% have significant depressive symptoms with overall psychological morbidity of 22.2%. Higher age was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms, total PHQ-4 score, and higher perceived stress. The present survey suggests that a substantial proportion of the police personnel on COVID-19 duty during the lockdown period have significant anxiety, depressive symptoms, and perceive significant stress. There is an urgent need to evaluate the mental health issues and provide psychological support to the police personnel who are considered as faceless warriors of the COVID-19. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11469-020-00408-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Grover
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Swapnajeet Sahoo
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Devakshi Dua
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Aseem Mehra
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ritu Nehra
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Demou E, Hale H, Hunt K. Understanding the mental health and wellbeing needs of police officers and staff in Scotland. POLICE PRACTICE & RESEARCH : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL 2020; 21:702-716. [PMID: 33408592 PMCID: PMC7116541 DOI: 10.1080/15614263.2020.1772782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Police work can be stressful and demanding and can impact on employee wellbeing. This study aimed to understand mental health (MH) issues and risk factors for poor MH in officers and staff of the Police Service of Scotland (PSoS); and gather their ideas of workplace wellbeing interventions that are suitable for this workforce. Face-to-face/telephone interviews were conducted with 30 Superintendents and eight stakeholders, recruited throughout PSoS. Interview topics included: MH issues; health/health behaviours; employment; and potentially beneficial workplace interventions. A thematic analysis approach was adopted. High levels of occupational stress and anxiety, currently or in the past, were reported, as were experiences of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The main stressors reported were working hours, workload, culture, leadership and organisational change. Officers and staff recognised progress towards promoting and managing MH in the service but identified interventions, including training, counselling, and environmental workplace changes as needed to address mental health issues within police cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Demou
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hannah Hale
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kate Hunt
- Institute for Social Marketing, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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Serra MVGB, Scalon JD, Tonello MGM, Quemelo PRV. Musculoskeletal disorders, stress perception and physical activity in police officers. FISIOTERAPIA E PESQUISA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1809-2950/18029227012020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to analyze association between stress perception and physical activity with the prevalence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (SMSD) in police officers. The police officers (n=142) answered the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient was used to measure strength and direction of relationship between PSS-10 and prevalence of SMSD and showed a positive correlation between variables in the last 7 days (r=0.34, p=0.00001) and in the last 12 months (r=0.40, p=0.00001). The mean prevalence of SMSD in the last 12 months was lower among police officers practicing physical activity (W=1888.5, p=0.04). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the practice of physical activities as well as efforts to reduce stress perception both decrease the odds of musculoskeletal disorders. This study indicated that stress level and physical activity practice influenced in prevalence of SMSD. Multidisciplinary interventions with actions to reduce stress level and encourage physical activity practice are needed to control SMSD prevalence.
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Purba A, Demou E. The relationship between organisational stressors and mental wellbeing within police officers: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1286. [PMID: 31615479 PMCID: PMC6792329 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7609-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occupational stressors in police work increase the risk for officer mental health morbidities. Officers' poor mental wellbeing is harmful to the individual, can affect professionalism, organisational effectiveness, and public safety. While the impact of operational stressors on officers' mental wellbeing is well documented, no review has systematically investigated organisational stressor impacts. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to assess the relationship between organisational stressors and police officer mental wellbeing. METHODS Systematic review conducted following PRISMA and Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Literature search was undertaken from 1990 to May 2017 on four databases (EBSCOHOST Medline/SocINDEX/PsycINFO/OVID Embase) and grey literature. Included articles were critically appraised and assessed for risk of bias. Narrative and evidence syntheses were performed by specific mental health outcomes. RESULTS In total, 3571 results were returned, and 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. All included studies were published in English between 1995 and 2016, had cross-sectional study designs, spanned across four continents and covered 15,150 officers. Strong evidence of significant associations was identified for organisational stressors and the outcomes of: occupational stress, psychiatric symptoms/psychological distress, emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. The organisational stressors most often demonstrating consistently significant associations with mental health outcomes included lack of support, demand, job pressure, administrative/organisational pressure and long working-hours. CONCLUSIONS This review is the first to systematically examine organisational stressors and mental health in police officers. Organisational stressors that can be targeted by interventions and policy changes to secure officer wellbeing, a healthy work environment, and benefits to the organisation and the public are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrit Purba
- Public Health, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RZ UK
| | - Evangelia Demou
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G2 3AX UK
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Elliott P, Aresu M, Gao H, Vergnaud AC, Heard A, McRobie D, Spear J, Singh D, Kongsgård HW, Mbema C, Muller DC. Use of TETRA personal radios and sickness absence in the Airwave Health Monitoring Study of the British police forces. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 175:148-155. [PMID: 31125718 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) is used for radiocommunications among the British police forces. OBJECTIVES To investigate association of personal radio use and sickness absence among police officers and staff from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study. METHODS Participant-level sickness absence records for 26 forces were linked with personal radio use for 32,102 participants. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyse TETRA usage in year prior to enrolment and sickness absence (lasting more than 7 or 28 consecutive days) in the following year and a zero-inflated negative binomial model for analyses of number of sickness absence episodes of any duration ('spells') over the same period. In secondary analyses, we looked at an extended period of observation among a sub-cohort with linked data over time, using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS Median personal radio use (year prior to enrolment) was 29.7 min per month (interquartile range 7.5, 64.7) among users. In the year following enrolment there were 25,655 sickness absence spells among 15,248 participants. There were similar risks of sickness absence lasting more than seven days among users and non-users, although among users risk was higher with greater use, odds ratio = 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 1.06) per doubling of radio use. There was no association for sickness absence of more than 28 days. For sickness absence spells, risk was lower among users than non-users (incidence rate ratio = 0.91; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.11), again with higher risk among users for greater radio use. There was no association between radio use and sickness absence in secondary analyses. DISCUSSION There were similar or lower risks of sickness absence in TETRA radio users compared with non-users. Among users, the higher risk of sickness absence with greater radio use may reflect working pattern differences among police personnel rather than effects of radiofrequency exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Elliott
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit on Health Effects of Environmental Hazards, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Imperial College, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Maria Aresu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - He Gao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anne-Claire Vergnaud
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Andy Heard
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Dennis McRobie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jeanette Spear
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Deepa Singh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Catherine Mbema
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; Consultant in Public Health, Lewisham Council, London, UK
| | - David C Muller
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Baka L. Types of job demands make a difference. Testing the job demand-control-support model among Polish police officers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2018.1443962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Baka
- Department of Social Psychology, Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute , Warszawa, Polska
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Lace JW, Haeberlein KA, Handal PJ. Multidimensionality of the Langner Symptom Survey and Replication of a Cutoff Score in Emerging Adults. Psychol Rep 2018; 122:340-359. [PMID: 29380681 DOI: 10.1177/0033294118755112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the dimensionality of the Langner Symptom Survey and replicated a recent finding regarding a clinically validated cutoff score in emerging adults. Nine hundred thirteen (631 females and 282 males) students at a private university in the Midwestern United States participated online as part of a larger study and completed the Langner Symptom Survey and a demographic questionnaire. Results from exploratory principal components and confirmatory factor analyses provided support for both a six- and three-factor model of the Langner Symptom Survey, with the three-factor model offering marginally better confirmatory fit indices and greater parsimony of interpretation. A cutoff score of 5 denoting clinically significant psychological distress and need for treatment was supported through analysis of receiver-operating characteristic, sensitivity, specificity, and total classification accuracy based on psychological service utilization, and this result successfully replicated a recently published finding. The Langner Symptom Survey may function as a multidimensional measure of psychological distress and need for treatment in emerging adults that may need a lexical update.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Lace
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, MO, USA
| | | | - Paul J Handal
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, MO, USA
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Work-related stress as a cardiovascular risk factor in police officers: a systematic review of evidence. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2018; 91:377-389. [PMID: 29344727 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-018-1290-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several studies suggest that work-related stress in police officers may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. A systematic review of studies is, however, still lacking. METHOD According to PRISMA statement, a systematic search of PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Cinahl and PsychInfo electronic databases was undertaken. Studies published in English between 1/1/2000 and 31/12/2016 were included. A studies quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale (NOS). RESULTS The preliminary search retrieved 752 records. After selection, 16 studies (total population 17,698) were retrieved. The average quality of studies was low. Exposure to stress in cross-sectional studies was inconstantly associated with hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and impaired glucose metabolism. In addition, there was a prevalence of positive studies showing an association between stress and cardiovascular disease morbidity. Studies of higher quality, such as longitudinal studies on large sample size, were more supportive of a significant positive association between stress and cardiovascular risk factors. Results were, however, often conflicting and inconsistent with regard to definitions and measurement of stress, features of individual study design, study conduct, and conclusions drawn. CONCLUSIONS A sound precautionary principle would be to adopt worksite health promotion programs designed to implement stress management strategies in this category of workers.
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Spanier K, Peters E, Michel E, Radoschewski FM, Bethge M. Associations between organizational injustice and work ability, self-reported disability days, and medical consultations: cross-sectional findings from employees with prior sickness absence payments. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2017; 90:789-797. [DOI: 10.1007/s00420-017-1242-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Tavares JP, Lautert L, Magnago TSBDS, Consiglio AR, Pai DD. Relationship between psychosocial stress dimensions and salivary cortisol in military police officers. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2017; 25:e2873. [PMID: 28443994 PMCID: PMC5423763 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.1199.2873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: to analyze the relationship between psychosocial stress dimensions and salivary
cortisol in military police officers. Method: cross-sectional and analytical study with 134 military police officers. The
Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Model scale has been used to assess psychosocial
stress. Salivary cortisol was collected in three samples. The following tests were
used: Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney, ANOVA, Bonferroni, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn.
Pearson and Spearman correlation methods were used, as well as multiple linear
regression. Cortisol at night showed an ascending statistical association with the
psychosocial reward (p=0.004) and a descending association with the
effort-impairment scores (p=0.017). Being part of the Special Tactical Operations
Group (GATE) and the diastolic blood pressure explained 13.5% of the variation in
cortisol levels on waking up. The sectors GATE, Special Patrol of the Elite Squad
of the Military Police and Motorcyclists explained 21.9% of the variation in
cortisol levels 30-minute after awakening. The variables GATE sector and Effort
Dimension explained 27.7% of the variation in cortisol levels at night. Conclusion: it was evidenced that salivary cortisol variation was influenced by individual,
labor and psychosocial variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Petri Tavares
- PhD, Adjunct Professor, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Liana Lautert
- PhD, Full Professor, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Angélica Rosat Consiglio
- PhD, Associate Professor, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Daiane Dal Pai
- PhD, Adjunct Professor, Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Dang C, Denis C, Gahide S, Chariot P, Lefèvre T. Violence at work: forensic medical examination of police officers assaulted while on duty: comparisons with other groups of workers in two centres of the Paris area, 2010–2012. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2016; 89:755-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s00420-016-1113-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Habersaat SA, Geiger AM, Abdellaoui S, Wolf JM. Health in police officers: Role of risk factor clusters and police divisions. Soc Sci Med 2015; 143:213-22. [PMID: 26364008 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Law enforcement is a stressful occupation associated with significant health problems. To date, most studies have focused on one specific factor or one domain of risk factors (e.g., organizational, personal). However, it is more likely that specific combinations of risk factors are differentially health relevant and further, depend on the area of police work. METHODS A self-selected group of officers from the criminal, community, and emergency division (N = 84) of a Swiss state police department answered questionnaires assessing personal and organizational risk factors as well as mental and physical health indicators. RESULTS In general, few differences were observed across divisions in terms of risk factors or health indicators. Cluster analysis of all risk factors established a high-risk and a low-risk cluster with significant links to all mental health outcomes. Risk cluster-by-division interactions revealed that, in the high-risk cluster, Emergency officers reported fewer physical symptoms, while community officers reported more posttraumatic stress symptoms. Criminal officers in the high-risk cluster tended to perceived more stress. Finally, perceived stress did not mediate the relationship between risk clusters and posttraumatic stress symptoms. CONCLUSION In summary, our results support the notion that police officers are a heterogeneous population in terms of processes linking risk factors and health indicators. This heterogeneity thereby appeared to be more dependent on personal factors and individuals' perception of their own work conditions than division-specific work environments. Our findings further suggest that stress-reduction interventions that do not target job-relevant sources of stress may only show limited effectiveness in reducing health risks associated with police work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Habersaat
- University of Lorraine, Laboratory INTERPSY, 23 Boulevard Albert 1st, 54015 Nancy, France; Brandeis University, Psychology Department, 415 South St. MS062, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.
| | - Ashley M Geiger
- Brandeis University, Psychology Department, 415 South St. MS062, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.
| | - Sid Abdellaoui
- University of Lorraine, Laboratory INTERPSY, 23 Boulevard Albert 1st, 54015 Nancy, France.
| | - Jutta M Wolf
- Brandeis University, Psychology Department, 415 South St. MS062, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.
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Evans D, Mallet L, Flahault A, Cothereau C, Velazquez S, Capron L, Lejoyeux M. The importance of both workplace and private life factors in psychological distress: a large cross-sectional survey of French railway company employees. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2013; 48:1211-24. [PMID: 23086586 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-012-0605-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The psychological well-being of employees is a priority in occupational health. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress among employees of a large French company, to calculate the associations between distress and stressors in the workplace and private life domains, and to explore confounding across stressor domains. METHODS 8,058 employees of the French national railways company completed a nation-wide survey in 2006 (94.3 % participation). Psychological distress was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and 21 potential stressors and socio-demographic factors by a self-administered questionnaire. Stressors were summarized in scores for work pressure, workplace conflict, and personal life domains. Risk ratios (RRs) between psychological distress and stressors were calculated using robust-variance Poisson regression. RESULTS The prevalence of psychological distress was 32.8 % (95 % CI 31.8-33.9 %), higher among women (48.9 %, 95 % CI 46.5-51.7 %) than men (30.1 %, 95 % CI 29.0-31.2 %). Each stressor domain was associated with distress in the final model containing likely confounders and all three domains (RR highest vs. lowest level-work pressure: men 1.55, 95 % CI 1.42-1.70, women 1.42, 95 % CI 1.23-1.63; work conflict: men 2.63, 95 % CI 2.38-2.91, women 1.98, 95 % CI 1.70-2.30; life concerns: men 2.04, 95 % CI 1.86-2.23, women 1.53, 95 % CI 1.32-1.78). The mutually adjusted RRs for the stressor domains were smaller than the unadjusted RRs. CONCLUSIONS Almost one-third of all employees and one-half of female employees experienced psychological distress. All three stressor domains were associated with psychological distress and adjustment reduced the association size, suggesting possible over-estimation if one or more domains are omitted from the survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Evans
- Medical Department, Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF), Paris, France
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Garbarino S, Cuomo G, Chiorri C, Magnavita N. Association of work-related stress with mental health problems in a special police force unit. BMJ Open 2013; 3:e002791. [PMID: 23872288 PMCID: PMC3717472 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Law and order enforcement tasks may expose special force police officers to significant psychosocial risk factors. The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between job stress and the presence of mental health symptoms while controlling sociodemographical, occupational and personality variables in special force police officers. METHOD At different time points, 292 of 294 members of the 'VI Reparto Mobile', a special police force engaged exclusively in the enforcement of law and order, responded to our invitation to complete questionnaires for the assessment of personality traits, work-related stress (using the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) and the Effort-Reward-Imbalance (ERI) models) and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and burnout. RESULTS Regression analyses showed that lower levels of support and reward and higher levels of effort and overcommitment were associated with higher levels of mental health symptoms. Psychological screening revealed 21 (7.3%) likely cases of mild depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI≥10). Officers who had experienced a discrepancy between work effort and rewards showed a marked increase in the risk of depression (OR 7.89, 95% CI 2.32 to 26.82) when compared with their counterparts who did not perceive themselves to be in a condition of distress. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that work-related stress may play a role in the development of mental health problems in police officers. The prevalence of mental health symptoms in the cohort investigated here was low, but not negligible in the case of depression. Since special forces police officers have to perform sensitive tasks for which a healthy psychological functioning is needed, the results of this study suggest that steps should be taken to prevent distress and improve the mental well-being of these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Garbarino
- State Police Health Service Department, Ministry of the Interior, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cuomo
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Chiorri
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology Area, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Magnavita
- Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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Magnavita N, Garbarino S. Is absence related to work stress? A repeated cross-sectional study on a special police force. Am J Ind Med 2013; 56:765-75. [PMID: 23334868 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sickness absence due to illness is considered an indicator of work-related stress. Police work is a very stressful job. Sickness absence and sick leave are frequent among policemen. METHODS We tested whether stress variables were predictors of absenteeism in a police unit specifically assigned to the maintenance of law and order. RESULTS Control, Reward, and Support were negatively related to frequency of absence and short-term absence. Demand and Effort were positively related to total lost days. Absence recorded in the previous year was the best predictor of absenteeism. We also found a positive, albeit weak association between absence in the previous year and subsequent work-related stress. CONCLUSIONS Stress variables are associated with sickness absence, although the association is weak. Both short-term and prolonged sickness absence should be regarded as a warning sign for subsequent sickness absence and distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Magnavita
- Institute of Occupational Medicine; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Roma Italy
| | - Sergio Garbarino
- State Police Health Service Department; Ministry of the Interior; Roma Italy
- Department of Neuroscience; Ophthalmology and Genetics; University of Genoa; Genoa Italy
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Bezerra CDM, Minayo MCDS, Constantino P. [Occupational stress among female police officers]. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2013; 18:657-66. [PMID: 23546192 DOI: 10.1590/s1413-81232013000300011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The scope of this study is occupational stress among female police officers in Rio de Janeiro. A qualitative approach was initially used (interviews, focal groups and observations) to establish their perceptions regarding gender differences in the performance of police work, the relationship between occupational stress and health issues and the strategies used to mitigate this type of stress. A total of 42 participants including female officers and staff and operational and health professionals were involved. The participants link stress to their daily work, cite a number of symptoms and show how family relationships are affected. Stress originates primarily from work management and organizational issues. Gender discrimination and harassment are also perceived as stressors. Psychic suffering is greater among officers in commanding roles, and operational activities are perceived as more stressful due to the risks involved. Physical exercise is seen as the most effective strategy to mitigate the consequences of stress. The conclusions drawn are that, there is a need for organizational and managerial change from the perspective of gender and investment in preventive measures that can reduce the consequences of stress within the Rio de Janeiro police force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia de Magalhães Bezerra
- Centro Latino Americano de Estudos de Violência e Saúde Jorge Careli, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Avenida Brasil 4036/700, Manguinhos. 21040-361 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil.
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Abstract
CONTEXT There have been few studies focusing on occupational/organizational causes of stress in police. Hardly any studies exist on personality traits and coping methods in this group of individuals. AIMS To study the association of personality traits and coping methods to psychological stress in police personnel. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This cross-sectional study was conducted among the constables and head constables working in the Police Department, Vizianagram town, Andhra Pradesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study sample consisted of 150 police persons. The socio-demographic data was individually collected from them. General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used for assessing psychological stress, Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) for personality traits, and Coping Checklist-1 (CCL-1) for eliciting coping methods. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS v 10 software. RESULTS On screening by GHQ-28, 35.33% of the police were found to be having psychological distress. The socio-demographic variables showed no significant association to psychological stress. Personality traits such as neuroticism, psychoticism, and extroversion and coping methods like negative distraction and denial/blame showed statistically significant association (P<0.05) with psychological stress. The most commonly used coping methods across the sample were social support (72.55%), acceptance/redefinition (64.72%), and problem solving (60.46%). As measured by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), there was evidence of linear association between certain personality traits and coping methods as well. CONCLUSIONS The personality traits and coping methods have significant independent and interactive role in the development of high psychological stress in police persons, thus placing them at a high risk of developing psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravneet Kaur
- Department of Psychiatry, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Nalgonda, India
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Garbarino S, Chiorri C, Magnavita N. Personality traits of the Five-Factor Model are associated with work-related stress in special force police officers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2013; 87:295-306. [PMID: 23463443 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-013-0861-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The police work is particularly stressful. The aim of this work was to clarify whether the personality factors are associated with perceived stress levels or reactivity to environmental stressors in a special body of police. METHODS The police officers in charge of guaranteeing public order at the L'Aquila G8 meeting were subjected to a control of their levels of work-related stress in anticipation of the event. Personality was assessed by the Italian version of the Five-Factor Model questionnaire, while stress was measured three times (during routine work in January 2009, preparation and imminence of the event, in April and July 2009, respectively) with the demand/control/support model of Karasek and the effort/reward imbalance model of Siegrist. A total of 289 of 294 officers took part in the survey. RESULTS Some personality traits of the Five-Factor Model were associated with stress levels and stress reactivity. Neuroticism (low emotional stability) showed the strongest associations with job strain (demand/control ratio) (β = 0.115, p < 0.05) and effort/reward imbalance (β = 0.270, p < 0.001) and was associated with most of the stress variables. High agreeableness was associated with low effort/reward imbalance (β = -0.157, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Personality factors may mitigate or increase the strain induced by environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Garbarino
- State Police Health Service Department, Ministry of the Interior, Rome, Italy
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Bethge M, Radoschewski FM, Gutenbrunner C. Effort-reward imbalance and work ability: cross-sectional and longitudinal findings from the Second German Sociomedical Panel of Employees. BMC Public Health 2012; 12:875. [PMID: 23067110 PMCID: PMC3505747 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although data from longitudinal studies are sparse, effort-reward imbalance (ERI) seems to affect work ability. However, the potential pathway from restricted work ability to ERI must also be considered. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyse cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between ERI and work ability and vice versa. Methods Data come from the Second German Sociomedical Panel of Employees. Logistic regression models were estimated to determine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations. The sample used to predict new cases of poor or moderate work ability was restricted to cases with good or excellent work ability at baseline. The sample used to predict new cases of ERI was restricted to persons without ERI at baseline. Results The cross-sectional analysis included 1501 full-time employed persons. The longitudinal analyses considered 600 participants with good or excellent baseline work ability and 666 participants without baseline ERI, respectively. After adjustment for socio-demographic variables, health-related behaviour and factors of the work environment, ERI was cross-sectionally associated with poor or moderate work ability (OR = 1.980; 95% CI: 1.428 to 2.747). Longitudinally, persons with ERI had 2.1 times higher odds of poor or moderate work ability after one year (OR = 2.093; 95% CI: 1.047 to 4.183). Conversely, persons with poor or moderate work ability had 2.6 times higher odds of an ERI after one year (OR = 2.573; 95% CI: 1.314 to 5.041). Conclusions Interventions that enable workers to cope with ERI or address indicators of ERI directly could promote the maintenance of work ability. Integration management programmes for persons with poor work ability should also consider their psychosocial demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Bethge
- Department for Rehabilitation Medicine, Coordination Centre for Applied Rehabilitation Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Feizi A, Aliyari R, Roohafza H. Association of perceived stress with stressful life events, lifestyle and sociodemographic factors: a large-scale community-based study using logistic quantile regression. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2012; 2012:151865. [PMID: 23091560 PMCID: PMC3471433 DOI: 10.1155/2012/151865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2012] [Revised: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present paper aimed at investigating the association between perceived stress and major life events stressors in Iranian general population. METHODS In a cross-sectional large-scale community-based study, 4583 people aged 19 and older, living in Isfahan, Iran, were investigated. Logistic quantile regression was used for modeling perceived stress, measured by GHQ questionnaire, as the bounded outcome (dependent), variable, and as a function of most important stressful life events, as the predictor variables, controlling for major lifestyle and sociodemographic factors. This model provides empirical evidence of the predictors' effects heterogeneity depending on individual location on the distribution of perceived stress. RESULTS The results showed that among four stressful life events, family conflicts and social problems were more correlated with level of perceived stress. Higher levels of education were negatively associated with perceived stress and its coefficients monotonically decrease beyond the 30th percentile. Also, higher levels of physical activity were associated with perception of low levels of stress. The pattern of gender's coefficient over the majority of quantiles implied that females are more affected by stressors. Also high perceived stress was associated with low or middle levels of income. CONCLUSIONS The results of current research suggested that in a developing society with high prevalence of stress, interventions targeted toward promoting financial and social equalities, social skills training, and healthy lifestyle may have the potential benefits for large parts of the population, most notably female and lower educated people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awat Feizi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174675731, Iran. awat
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Arial M, Wild P, Benoit D, Chouaniere D, Danuser B. Multi-level modeling of aspects associated with poor mental health in a sample of prehospital emergency professionals. Am J Ind Med 2011; 54:847-57. [PMID: 21858851 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this paper is to investigate the respective influence of work characteristics, the effort-reward ratio, and overcommitment on the poor mental health of out-of-hospital care providers. METHODS 333 out-of-hospital care providers answered a questionnaire that included queries on mental health (GHQ-12), demographics, health-related information and work characteristics, questions from the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and items about overcommitment. A two-level multiple regression was performed between mental health (the dependent variable) and the effort-reward ratio, the overcommitment score, weekly number of interventions, percentage of non-prehospital transport of patients out of total missions, gender, and age. Participants were first-level units, and ambulance services were second-level units. We also shadowed ambulance personnel for a total of 416 hr. RESULTS With cutoff points of 2/3 and 3/4 positive answers on the GHQ-12, the percentages of potential cases with poor mental health were 20% and 15%, respectively. The effort-reward ratio was associated with poor mental health (P < 0.001), irrespective of age or gender. Overcommitment was associated with poor mental health; this association was stronger in women (β = 0.054) than in men (β = 0.020). The percentage of prehospital missions out of total missions was only associated with poor mental health at the individual level. CONCLUSIONS Emergency medical services should pay attention to the way employees perceive their efforts and the rewarding aspects of their work: an imbalance of those aspects is associated with poor mental health. Low perceived esteem appeared particularly associated with poor mental health. This suggests that supervisors of emergency medical services should enhance the value of their employees' work. Employees with overcommitment should also receive appropriate consideration. Preventive measures should target individual perceptions of effort and reward in order to improve mental health in prehospital care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Arial
- Institute for Work and Health, Lausanne University, Switzerland.
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Arial M, Wild P. Effort, reward and self-reported mental health: a simulation study on negative affectivity bias. BMC Med Res Methodol 2011; 11:121. [PMID: 21864350 PMCID: PMC3170295 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2288-11-121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the present article, we propose an alternative method for dealing with negative affectivity (NA) biases in research, while investigating the association between a deleterious psychosocial environment at work and poor mental health. First, we investigated how strong NA must be to cause an observed correlation between the independent and dependent variables. Second, we subjectively assessed whether NA can have a large enough impact on a large enough number of subjects to invalidate the observed correlations between dependent and independent variables. Methods We simulated 10,000 populations of 300 subjects each, using the marginal distribution of workers in an actual population that had answered the Siegrist's questionnaire on effort and reward imbalance (ERI) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Results The results of the present study suggested that simulated NA has a minimal effect on the mean scores for effort and reward. However, the correlations between the effort and reward imbalance (ERI) ratio and the GHQ score might be important, even in simulated populations with a limited NA. Conclusions When investigating the relationship between the ERI ratio and the GHQ score, we suggest the following rules for the interpretation of the results: correlations with an explained variance of 5% and below should be considered with caution; correlations with an explained variance between 5% and 10% may result from NA, although this effect does not seem likely; and correlations with an explained variance of 10% and above are not likely to be the result of NA biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Arial
- Institute for Work and Health, Lausanne University and Geneva University, Bugnon 21, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Garbarino S, Magnavita N, Elovainio M, Heponiemi T, Ciprani F, Cuomo G, Bergamaschi A. Police job strain during routine activities and a major event. Occup Med (Lond) 2011; 61:395-9. [PMID: 21642475 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqr058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Special police forces are exposed to periods of intense work stress in ensuring public order. AIMS To explore the relationship between the work context (routine work or special event) of special force policemen and psychological measures of job strain (demand-control) and effort-reward imbalance. METHODS All policemen assigned to the G8 meeting in L'Aquila, Italy, in July 2009 were invited to complete a questionnaire while engaged in routine work in January 2009 (Time A) and in June 2009 (Time B), while preparing for the special event. RESULTS Participation rate in the questionnaire study was 292/294 (99%) members of the special police force. Measures of job strain (-0.39, P < 0.001) and effort-reward imbalance (-0.37, P < 0.001) decreased significantly from Time A to Time B. On average, demand decreased from 14.2 ± 1.9 to 12.6 ± 2.7 (P < 0.001), control increased from 11.8 ± 2.5 to 14.4 ± 3.4 (P < 0.001) and social support increased from 17.8 ± 2.9 to 19.0 ± 3.1 (P < 0.001). At the same time, effort decreased from 17.4 ± 3.2 to 11.8 ± 3.8 (P < 0.001), reward grew from 37.6 ± 5.5 to 45.5 ± 7.4 (P < 0.001) and overcommitment dropped from 7.1 ± 2.1 to 6.6 ± 1.7 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In special police forces, routine work may be significantly more stressful than a single critical event.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Garbarino
- State Police Health Service Department, Ministry of the Interior, Italy
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