Abstract

EVALUATION OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OCCUPATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MENTAL STRESS AMONG POLICE OFFICERS.

Atanu Saha*

ABSTRACT

Background: Police force constitutes a most unpredictable and most challenging occupational group. They have been shown to be at high risk for the development of different types of physiological and psychological disorder due to their nature of job. Aim: The present study was to evaluate the association between occupational characteristics and mental stress among police officers. Materials and Methods: A multiple choice tick √ box type questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of two hundred and fifty police personnel from different police stations of West Bengal. In the modified questionnaire, general information on physiological, psychological and other aspects of work demand in police job would be sought. Body Mass Index (BMI) is measured by Poskit method (2000). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 16.0 software. Results: Life events perceived as stressful, particularly in male police officers those are obese and length of service in between eleven years to twenty years.

Keywords: Occupational Stress, Police Officers, BMI, Police Job.