Association of work related chronic stressors and psychiatric symptoms in a Swiss sample of police officers : a cross sectional questionnaire study

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Version: Author's accepted manuscript
Serval ID
serval:BIB_D52BB4411671
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Association of work related chronic stressors and psychiatric symptoms in a Swiss sample of police officers : a cross sectional questionnaire study
Journal
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
Author(s)
Arial Marc, Gonik Viviane, Wild Pascal, Danuser Brigitta
ISSN
0340-0131
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2010
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
83
Number
3
Pages
323-331
Language
english
Abstract
Purpose (1) To identify work related stressors that are associated with psychiatric symptoms in a Swiss sample of policemen and (2) to develop a model for identifying officers at risk for developing mental health problems.
Method The study design is cross sectional. A total of 354 male police officers answered a questionnaire assessing a wide spectrum of work related stressors. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the "TST questionnaire" (Langner in J Health Hum Behav 4, 269-276, 1962). Logistic regression with backward procedure was used to identify a set of variables collectively associated with high scores for psychiatric symptoms.
Results A total of 42 (11.9%) officers had a high score for psychiatric symptoms. Nearly all potential stressors considered were significantly associated (at P < 0.05) with a high score for psychiatric symptoms. A significant model including 6 independent variables was identified: lack of support from superior and organization OR = 3.58 (1.58-8.13), self perception of bad quality work OR = 2.99 (1.35-6.59), inadequate work schedule OR = 2.84 (1.22-6.62), high mental/intellectual demand OR = 2.56 (1.12-5.86), age (in decades) OR = 1.82 (1.21-2.73), and score for physical environment complaints OR = 1.30 (1.03-1.64).
Conclusions Most of work stressors considered are associated with psychiatric symptoms. Prevention should target the most frequent stressors with high association to symptoms. Complaints of police officers about stressors should receive proper consideration by the management of public administration. Such complaints might be the expression of psychiatric caseness requiring medical assistance. Particular attention should be given to police officers complaining about many stressors identified in this study's multiple model. [Authors]
Keywords
Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Exposure , Police , Questionnaires , Stress, Psychological , Young Adult
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
04/01/2011 12:37
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:55
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