Page 111 - Petelin, Ana. 2020. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije / Health of the Working-Age Population. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 111
ess and Associated Stressors in Slovenian Police Officers ohranjanje in krepitev zdravja | maintaining and promoting health
Nastja Podrekar1,2, Kaja Kastelic3,1, Jure Žitnik1,2, Nejc Šarabon2,1
1 InnoRenew Coe, Human Health in the Built Environment, Livade 6,
6310 Izola, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola. Slovenia
3 University of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, Muzejski trg 2, 6000 Koper,
Slovenia
Introduction: Police officers are exposed to shift and night work, encounter
tragic events, and often confront threats and time pressures. The work of po-
lice officers is also specific because of the authorisation by which they can act
against other people. All this can be reflected in increased stress. The aim of
this study was to assess the prevalence of stress and stressors among Sloveni-
an police officers and to explore the relationships between stress and daily ac-
tivity behaviours.
Methods: A total of 262 Slovenian police officers (43.8 ± 7.0 years, 73% males)
from the Union of Slovene police officers (Sindikat policistov Slovenije) fulfilled
web based adjusted Operational Police Stress Questionnaire to assess stress
level, and Daily activity behaviours questionnaire (DAB-Q) to assess time
spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep.
To assess the prevalence of stress and the relationship between the stress and
activity behaviours, descriptive statistics and Spearman‘s rho correlation coef-
ficient were performed.
Results: Almost one third of Slovenian police officers (26.5%) perceived high
levels of stress due to work-related obligations and 38.8% of police officers
perceived mild levels of stress. The most common stressors reported were fa-
tigue due to shift and overtime work, paperwork, and lack of time to stay in
good physical condition. Prevalence of posttraumatic stress among police of-
ficers was notable (20.1%). Fatigue and burnout were associated with higher
levels of daily sitting (r = 0.22; p = 0.001). Moreover, more time spent for com-
muting was associated with self-reported lack of time for physical activity and
healthy lifestyle (r = 0.21; p = 0.001) and lack of time for family and friends (r =
0.24; p = 0.001). Perceived stress caused by working overtime was associated
with work-related health problems (r = 0.38; p = 0.001), and with fatigue and
burnout (r = 0.43; p = 0.001).
Discussion and conclusion: Workplace programs to promote health and
well-being of police officers are lacking. The results of our study emphasize
the need for interdisciplinary health promotion for police officers. Moreover,
the significant associations between higher commuting time and lack of time
for physical activity, family and friends indicate the need for reorganisation of
working time, and regular and well-coordinated schedules especially for police
officers with longer driving distance to work. For the future intervention stud-
ies, programmes combining education and support for sustainable behaviour-
al change are suggested to improve well-being and health of Slovenian police
officers.
Key words: law enforcement, physical activity, health promotion, burnout
109
Nastja Podrekar1,2, Kaja Kastelic3,1, Jure Žitnik1,2, Nejc Šarabon2,1
1 InnoRenew Coe, Human Health in the Built Environment, Livade 6,
6310 Izola, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola. Slovenia
3 University of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, Muzejski trg 2, 6000 Koper,
Slovenia
Introduction: Police officers are exposed to shift and night work, encounter
tragic events, and often confront threats and time pressures. The work of po-
lice officers is also specific because of the authorisation by which they can act
against other people. All this can be reflected in increased stress. The aim of
this study was to assess the prevalence of stress and stressors among Sloveni-
an police officers and to explore the relationships between stress and daily ac-
tivity behaviours.
Methods: A total of 262 Slovenian police officers (43.8 ± 7.0 years, 73% males)
from the Union of Slovene police officers (Sindikat policistov Slovenije) fulfilled
web based adjusted Operational Police Stress Questionnaire to assess stress
level, and Daily activity behaviours questionnaire (DAB-Q) to assess time
spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep.
To assess the prevalence of stress and the relationship between the stress and
activity behaviours, descriptive statistics and Spearman‘s rho correlation coef-
ficient were performed.
Results: Almost one third of Slovenian police officers (26.5%) perceived high
levels of stress due to work-related obligations and 38.8% of police officers
perceived mild levels of stress. The most common stressors reported were fa-
tigue due to shift and overtime work, paperwork, and lack of time to stay in
good physical condition. Prevalence of posttraumatic stress among police of-
ficers was notable (20.1%). Fatigue and burnout were associated with higher
levels of daily sitting (r = 0.22; p = 0.001). Moreover, more time spent for com-
muting was associated with self-reported lack of time for physical activity and
healthy lifestyle (r = 0.21; p = 0.001) and lack of time for family and friends (r =
0.24; p = 0.001). Perceived stress caused by working overtime was associated
with work-related health problems (r = 0.38; p = 0.001), and with fatigue and
burnout (r = 0.43; p = 0.001).
Discussion and conclusion: Workplace programs to promote health and
well-being of police officers are lacking. The results of our study emphasize
the need for interdisciplinary health promotion for police officers. Moreover,
the significant associations between higher commuting time and lack of time
for physical activity, family and friends indicate the need for reorganisation of
working time, and regular and well-coordinated schedules especially for police
officers with longer driving distance to work. For the future intervention stud-
ies, programmes combining education and support for sustainable behaviour-
al change are suggested to improve well-being and health of Slovenian police
officers.
Key words: law enforcement, physical activity, health promotion, burnout
109
