Sources of stress in policewomen: A three-factor model.

Abstract

It has been argued that models of stress need to be occupation specific. Policewomen are an occupational subgroup who experience stress differently from male officers. Sixteen sources of felt stress were rated by 206 policewomen. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a three-factor model of operational, interpersonal, and management/organizational stress. Confirmatory factor analysis with a second sample of 213 policewomen confirmed the three-factor structure. Interpersonal stressors accounted for most variance in ratings of felt stress. This suggests that the interpersonal climate experienced by female officers contributes significantly to rated stress levels, and consideration of this finding should be given in interventions to reduce work stress for female officers.

Burnout, Coping, Stress of Conscience and Psychosocial Work Environment among Patrolling Police Officers

“…In a recent study we have found that the police profession is recognized as being an occupation involving challenging and unpredictable encounters (Backteman-Erlanson et al 2011), and a further identifying factor is organizational stress (Liberman et al 2002;Thompson et al 2006). In general, work-related stress has an impact on health and wellbeing (Paoli and Merllie 2001).…”

Highly Rated and most Frequent Stressors among Police Officers: Gender Differences

“…Morash, Kwak and Haarr (2006) found that women officers reported significantly higher levels of harassment, bias, underestimation of physical abilities, and lack of influence than their male counterparts. Thompson, Kirk and Brown (2006) found that interpersonal stressors and lack of support, contributed significantly to stress levels. Haarr (1997) and Shelley, Morabito & Tobin-Gurley (2011) reported that women felt that men officers questioned their abilities to do the job.…”

“…Haarr (1997) and Shelley, Morabito & Tobin-Gurley (2011) reported that women felt that men officers questioned their abilities to do the job. Sexual harassment and discrimination are often mentioned as stressors among women officers (Deschamps et al, 2003; Thompson et al, 2006; Chaiyavej & Morash, 2008). …”

Routine Work Environment Stress and PTSD Symptoms in Police Officers

“…Morash and Haarr (1995) found that female officers experienced greater harassment and bias in their work environment despite multiple similarities between reported sources of stress in male and female police officers. Similarly, Thompson et al (2006) examined a 3-factor model of sources of perceived stress in female officers, and found that interpersonal work environment stressors (i.e., lack of support from colleagues, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, interpersonal conflict, and lack of confidentiality; Thompson et al, 2006) contributed to the largest percentage of variance in reported stress; organizational and operational stress also contributed to overall levels of stress among female officers. Despite a great deal of evidence supporting the relationship between various aspects of the work environment and PTSD symptoms, there has also been evidence to the contrary.…”