NCJ Number
98005
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1985) Pages: 122-131
Date Published
1985
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study deals with the relationship between occupational stress and physiological problems experienced by male California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers.
Abstract
The study was undertaken to partially replicate and extend Wieman's study -- which used a sample of financial officers and a global occupational heart disease/risk -- by testing a different occupational population as well as Wieman's contention that the relationship between stressors and disease is curvilinear. During 1979, 4,524 CHP officers participated in a health screening; all portions of the exam were mandatory except the completion of a job survey questionnaire. A total of 2,951 male officers completed the survey (questionnaires completed by females were eliminated to control for gender). To obtain an overall indication of the officers' general wellness, a 7-point scale was developed. The scale included: systolic blood pressure greater than 138 or diastolic blood pressure greater than 88, Social Readjustment (Life Stress) score greater than 150, skinfold greater than 10, and glucose greater than 120. Weiman's U-shaped relationship between occupational stressors and coronary risk factors could not be replicated. Only when the occupational stressors were broken down into role conflict and ambiguity subscores did a slight curvilinear relationship occur. Findings suggest that the incidence of coronary risk is higher for subjects with low or high role ambiguity scores and below average for those reporting moderate stress. Law enforcement organizations should provide preventive health programs to moderate the impact of organizational stressors on their officers. Three figures and 27 references are included, as is the survey instrument.