NCJ Number
196239
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: 2002 Pages: 421-439
Date Published
2002
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between routine work stress and psychological distress among 733 police officers in 3 U.S. cities during 1998-99.
Abstract
The Work Environment Inventory (WEI) was developed to assess exposure to routine work stressors, while excluding duty-related traumatic stressors (critical incidents). The relationship between routine work stress exposure and psychological distress was then explored. Exposure to routine work stressors predicted general psychological distress (r=0.46), as well as posttraumatic stress symptoms following officers' most traumatic career incident. Multivariate analyses found that these effects were independent of, and larger than, the effects of cumulative critical incident exposure. These findings were consistent with a variety of prior reports that routine occupational stressors were more stressful to police officers than exposure to danger and critical incidents. This study is particularly clear in showing that the effect of routine occupational stress exposure is not attributable to traumatic aspects of police work. This study extends prior findings concerning the importance of routine stressor exposure for police by virtue of outcome measures. A secondary findings is that although women and minorities reported a more discriminatory work environment, they did not otherwise report more exposure to routine occupational stressors. Suggestions for future research are offered. 3 tables, 55 references, and appended WEI instrument