NCJ Number
139250
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 20 Issue: 5 Dated: (1992) Pages: 429-441
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Police officers face a range of potentially stressful situations and events in the performance of their duties, and this study looked at the occupational stress and coping behavior of Australian police officers to evaluate Type A behavior and trait anxiety.
Abstract
Respondents included 271 police officers from the Australian Federal Police and the Victoria Police. The Jenkins Activity Survey measured the incidence of Type A behavior patterns among police officers, while the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory measured trait anxiety levels. Responses were analyzed in terms of officer length of service (less than 5 years, 6-11 years, and more than 12 years). Data confirmed subtle differences between the temperament and behavior of police officer groups with different lengths of service. The differences were most obvious once police officers had served more than 12 years. Compared to junior personnel, police officers with more years of service saw themselves as more competitive, conscientious, and responsible and displayed traits of cynicism, aloofness, tough-mindedness, independence, aggression, hostility, and authoritarianism. Typically, police officers with longer service displayed behaviors associated with the Type A personality, including a tendency to show greater arousal and less flexibility when faced with occupational stress. The results are discussed in terms of a general understanding of how police officers deal with job stress. 62 references and 5 tables