The Psychological Sequelae of Police Work Stress: Exploring Potential Mediators and Moderators

This study examined the degree to which several types of police work stressors (critical incidents, routine operational and organizational stressors) were associated with various kinds of problem behaviors (e.g., problem gambling, problem drinking), and explored several possible mediators and moderators of the relationship between work stressors and problem behaviors. Police patrol officers (N = 170) completed anonymous questionnaires concerning several kinds of on-the-job stressors, personality variables (e.g., impulsivity), post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSD), and involvement in various problem behaviors. Although there was some evidence for a direct link between routine stressors and some problem behaviors, there was stronger evidence that workrelated stressors primarily affected officer involvement in problem behavior via three different mechanisms: (a) moderated by emotional confusion; (b) moderated by impulsivity; and (c) mediated by PTSD.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Abramowitz, Adrienne

Contributors dc:contributor

• Berenbaum, Howard

• Political Science, Public Administration

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3290162

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/82132