A Review on Existing Coping Mechanisms: An Exploratory Study on Police Personnel of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Objectives: The present study reveals the existing coping mechanisms in West Bengal Police to develop an instrument (scale) suitable for measuring the validity of the coping factors adopted by police personnel and suggest various measures to combat against work related stressors more effectively. Methods: Brief COPE (28 items) has been applied to identify the coping mechanisms adopted by police personnel. Exploratory Factor Analysis method (EFA) is being conducted by using SPSS 23 that reveals ten coping mechanisms and further Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) is being applied by using AMOS 22 to confirm the construct. The Regression Analysis identifies the significance of each coping mechanisms for combating with different stressors at work. Spatial survey method has been applied for conducting the survey. Findings: Ten unique coping mechanisms such as Positive Planning, Self blame, Behavioural disengagement, Self-distraction, Instrumental support, Religion, Active coping, Humour, Substance use and Acceptance have been identified as highly relied coping mechanisms among West Bengal Police force. Various measures have been suggested to deal with stressors more effectively like periodic interaction with superiors, encouraging employees for hobby persuasion, promoting team spirit, frequent arrangement of yoga and meditation classes and providing sensitization training in dealing situational crisis etc. The finding shows the absence of three coping mechanisms such as use of emotional support, denial and venting which are mentioned in the questionnaire administered. Several shortages that include infrastructural problems, political pressures, manpower shortages, excessive work load etc have been identified as major contributory factors of occupational stress among the force. The researchers get an exposure to interact with the respondents face to face where that have detailed conversations with the respondents about their problems, prospects and also respondents' suggestions on how to deal with occupational stressors more effectively adhering to the present situation. Improvements: The study comprises limitations with respect to time constraint, bureaucratic instructions and perceptual blockages of respondents during the survey. The researchers faced reluctance, rejections, refusals and trust issues while dealing with confidentiality.