JOB STRESS AMONG POLICE OFFICERS IN MANSOURA CITY, EGYPT

Abstract

Introduction: Police officers experience frequent and ongoing stressors in their work. Exposure to violence, suffering, and death is inherent to their profession. Aim of work: To describe the level of job stress, risk factors, and coping strategies adopted to reduce it in police officers in Mansoura city, Egypt. Materials and methods: Police officers completed a self-administered questionnaire covering the socioeconomic and occupational data, occupational stress index scale and coping inventory for stressful situations. Results: A high average total Occupational Stress Index (OSI) score (133.7) was found with role overload having the highest subscale mean (20.9). The significant factors associated with level of stress were rank of officers, nature and sector of work, shift work, smoking and other habits. Coping strategies to overcome stress were mainly task-oriented. Conclusion: Pre-employment and periodic medical examination and psychological assessment of officers is required together with implementation of stress management program and counseling. Further large scale multicenter research is recommended.