Occupational stress of female police officers : an empirical investigation /
Occupational stress of female police officers was examined. The research was directed toward determining the level of stress and type of stressors experienced by female police officers, how those stressors affected female police officers, methods used by female police officers to cope with stress, a...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1998.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=737704381&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | Occupational stress of female police officers was examined. The research was directed toward determining the level of stress and type of stressors experienced by female police officers, how those stressors affected female police officers, methods used by female police officers to cope with stress, and how the level of stress and type of stressors for female police officers compare to the level and type of stressors for male police officers. Data was gathered by utilizing a questionnaire comprised of four stress measurement instruments, demographic questions, and exposure to violence questions. Questionnaires were mailed to thirty- two municipal police departments in the State of Texas employing at least 100 sworn officers. The questionnaires were then given to female police officers, assigned to patrol and having a rank of sergeant or below. 134 valid questionnaires were returned, resulting in a response rate of 65 percent. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and other appropriate statistical procedures. Results of this study reveal that female and male officers rate 'job related stress and stressors similarly, however the reported frequency of exposure to those stressors was consistently lower for the female officers. Female officers utilized exercise and counseling more often as methods of coping with stress than their male counterparts. A significant difference between female and male police officers was found in general stress levels and post traumatic stress disorder. "While female officers reported less general stress than male officers, a higher percentage of female officers reported that they possessed all the indicators necessary to be considered suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Both male and female officers reported being dissatisfied with support from significant others and responded in a cynical manner to 40 percent of the items measuring cynicism. In this study female officers indicated the desire for and need to address stress and stressors unique to women in law enforcement. This need also exists for male police officers. Police work is stressful regardless of gender and stress management training should be implemented to combat and control stress for both female and male police officers. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Educational Human Resource Development". |
| Physical Description: | x, 132 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 106-115. |