Stress and Strain among Police, Firefighters, and Government Workers: A Comparative Analysis

• NCJ Number: 117587
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1989) Pages: 196-210
• Author(s): M Pendleton; E Stotland; P Spiers; E Kirsch
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): I ROI MH 34804-01
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Data gathered from questionnaires and blood pressure readings of police officers, fire fighters, and other municipal workers in a westcoast city formed the basis for a comparative analysis of stress and strain on these occupational groups.

Abstract

Participant police officers for the study were solicited by three experienced researchers. Of 197 patrol officers, 62 percent responded. Sample fire fighters and municipal workers were drawn by matching them with respondent police officers in terms of age. Stress was measured by a ladder scale in which the respondents rated the overall level of stress in their lives. Several different measures were used to index strain, physical illness, self-report of symptoms, illness, feelings of anxiety and tension, and blood pressure measurements. Analysis of the results confirmed that the police reported more stress than the firefighters and the municipal workers. However, the comparative analysis of strain revealed that municipal workers had more strain than the other two groups. In conclusion, though often the police officer's job is considered more stressful, it may involve more manageable stress and less strain than expected. Tables and 22 references. (Publisher abstract modified)