TY - JOUR PY - 2017// TI - Swedish police officers' job strain, work-related social support and general mental health JO - Journal of police and criminal psychology A1 - Hansson, Jonas A1 - Hurtig, Anna-Karin A1 - Lauritz, Lars-Erik A1 - Padyab, Mojgan SP - 128 EP - 137 VL - 32 IS - 2 N2 - This study investigated the association between psychosocial job characteristics and general mental health among police officers and the extent to which social support at work plays a role in this association. The findings are based on a cross-sectional survey. A written questionnaire was assessed by 714 police officers volunteered to participate in the study. The participants completed a series of validated instruments assessing job demand, control and social support at work (JDCS); general mental health (GHQ); and sociodemographic characteristics. High job strain was associated with low levels of work-related social support. Moreover, poor mental health was associated with low levels of work-related social support, active work and high job strain. The joint effect of high job strain and low levels of work-related social support had a significant effect on poor mental health. Work-related social support buffered job strain to some extent. Workforce health promotion policies should attempt to reduce job strain and emphasise the importance of work-related social support. Knowledge about police officers' general mental health and policymakers' support for police officers may have positive effects on the performance of the police force.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0882-0783 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11896-016-9202-0 ID - ref1 ER -