The impact of occupational psychological stress on the subjective well-being of police: mechanisms and interventions

Abstract

Background: While research has confirmed that occupational psychological stress has a negative impact on subjective well-being, no study has yet explored the specific occupational group of frontline police officers. Methods: This study used a questionnaire to explore the effects of occupational psychological stress on the subjective well-being of police and to explore the psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions of this process. Then, using the gathered data, an intervention program was developed to be used to improve police officers’ sense of subjective well-being. Results: The study found that: (1) occupational psychological stress significantly and negatively predicts the subjective well-being of police officers; (2) professional identity plays a mediating role on the relationship between occupational psychological stress and subjective well-being in police officers; (3) job security has a moderating role on the relationship between occupational psychological stress and subjective well-being; (4) the developed intervention, “A Positive Psychology Approach to Group Psychological Counseling Manual for Police Officers,” was shown to effectively alleviate the occupational psychological pressure experienced by police officers, significantly enhancing their sense of subjective well-being. Conclusion: Occupational psychological stress adversely affects the well-being of frontline police. Job resources can enhance one’s sense of professional identity and act as a buffer against the negative effects of job demands on one’s subjective well-being. Trial registration: This trial was registered with ISRCTN registry (ID: ISRCTN11293031) on 08/08/2025.