NCJ Number
218333
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2006 Pages: 149-176
Date Published
2006
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on comparative, exploratory research carried out to identify predictors of the use of different coping approaches and strategies in a comparison of police in South Korea and the United States.
Abstract
This study provides unique information, in that, it illustrates the significance of national differences as factors in theory and research relevant to understanding which police choose particular coping strategies. The results suggest that to increase understanding of choices of coping strategies, the range of strategies that are common to collectivist cultures should be included. It is confirmed that collectivist cultures do not necessarily provide an opportunity for individuals to rely on coworkers for help in coping with problems at work. Attention to relationships does not translate directly into reliance on these relationships for help with difficulties at work. Highlights from the report include: coping that relies on social relationships is much more common in South Korea than in the United States; police officers use social coping if their workplace stressors are of an interpersonal nature, if they have a collectivist orientation, and if they have strong social support; and the strongest predictor of defensive coping is the presence of interpersonal workplace stressors. This study focused on effects of status differences of nationality, gender, age, education, social class, rank, and in the United States, race, on comparing how police coped with workplace stressors. In addition, it considered whether the nature of workplace stressors, a collectivist orientation, and availability of social support explained subgroup differences in how officers coped. The study sample consisted of 676 South Korean and 947 United States police officers. Tables, references and appendix