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Demographic and workplace characteristics predicting stress and job satisfaction within the police workplace

Davey, Jeremy D. and Obst, Patricia L. and Sheehan, Mary C. (2001) Demographic and workplace characteristics predicting stress and job satisfaction within the police workplace . The Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology 16(1):pp. 29-39.

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Abstract

This study examined aspects of the work environment, which may impact on individual police officers' risk of harm from alcohol consumption. A self report survey containing demographic questions, the AUDIT and questions relating to perceived control over the job, overtime, pressure, boredom and job satisfaction was completed by 67% of officers in an Australian state police service. The results of the current study indicate that gender, age and marital status, are individual risk factors for problem drinking, as has been shown in previous research. Within the policing context, years of service, job satisfaction, perceived control within the job and being an operational officer, also emerged as significant predictors of at risk alcohol consumption patterns. Findings further suggest that there is a strong norm of drinking at work or after a shift, which suggests a culture of acceptance of drinking within the work place. This acceptance is strongly predictive of both risk of alcohol dependency and negative consequences from drinking within the police service. This study suggests directions for future research, which may lead to the introduction of informed interventions within the police service that could reduce officers' risk of harm from alcohol consumption.

Item Type:Journal Article
Status:Published
Keywords:Police, Work Stress
Subjects:390000 Law, Justice and Law Enforcement > 390400 Law Enforcement > 390403 Police Administration, Procedures and Practice
380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380100 Psychology > 380108 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
ID Code:4501
Deposited By:Obst, Patricia L.
Deposited On:14 September 2006
Alternative Locations:http://jpcp.asp.radford.edu/index.htm
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2001 Society for Police and Criminal Psychology
Copyright Statement:The contents of this journal can be freely accessed online via the journal’s web page (see link).