module 4 Flashcards
(42 cards)
1
Q
stress
A
- dynamic process by which a person experiences tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms in response to an environmental stimulus (stressor)
- psychological and physical responses
- how the individual and environment interact
2
Q
positive aspects of stress
A
- makes a person feel excited
- elicits an appropriate response
- can be useful and motivating
- increase focus and productivity
3
Q
negative aspects of stress
A
- often related to negative life events
- failure to respond appropriately and cope effectively
- can be detrimental to physical and psychological health
- impair productivity
- increase absenteeism and presenteeism
4
Q
work-related stress
A
- work-related stress can occur when an individual’s abilities and resources do not sufficiently meet the demands of the work environment
- inert action between work-related stressors and life stressors
5
Q
work-related stress in policing
A
- high stress, demanding profession
- significant sources of stress inherent to the job
- some organizational stressors can be addressed through strategies, planning and programs but some sources of stress inherent in a job that you can’t get rid of
6
Q
2 types of police stressors
A
- organizational stress
- operational stress
7
Q
organizational stress
A
- stress related to contextual effects of the job, typically related to the organization or work environment
- applies to everyone regardless of rank, civilian role or sworn role, etc
- factors that are a constant presence and can result in accumulation of stress
- e.g. culture, work environment, organization itself
8
Q
top organizational stressors - SWORN
A
- bureaucratic red tape
- staff shortages
- inconsistent leadership styles
- the feeling that different rules apply to different people
- feeling like you always have to prove yourself to the organization
9
Q
top organizational stressors - civilian
A
- the feeling that different rules apply to different people
- staff shortages
- inconsistent leadership
style - dealing with coworkers
- bureaucratic red tape
10
Q
quality of life
A
- subjective evaluation (their perception) of life enjoyment and satisfaction
- wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional…)
- actualization of abilities and lifestyle
- this includes: physical functioning, psychological, social relationships & environment
11
Q
impact of organizational stress of sworn members
A
- negatively correlated to psychological b/c as stress increases their perception of having a good quality life in relation to physiological functioning deteriorates
- positively correlated to perceptions of micro-aggressions & public/self stigma (more stress more that)
12
Q
impact of organizational stress on civilian workers
A
- negatively correlated to psychological b/c we perceive the feeling of more negative emotions, anxiety worry, anger, sadness and in turn as stated below they perceive more judgment and stigma about these feelings
- positively correlated to public/self stigma b/c we perceive more stigma related to mental health
13
Q
operational stress
A
- stress related to fulfilling operational duties
- some are more acute (e.g. traumatic events, negative comments occurring on the job) and some are a constant presence (e.g. feeling like they are always on the job/expectaion of them as a officer)
- e.g. paperwork, arrests, looked at police officers even if they are not working
14
Q
top operational stressors - SWORN
A
- fatigue
- finding time to stay in good physical health
- shift work
- paperwork
- not having enough time to spend time with families and friends (tied into paperwork)
- occupational-related health issues
- negative comments from the public
15
Q
impact of operational stress
A
- negative correlated to psychology b/c when operational stressors increase = quality of life from a psychological perspective decreases and relationships/interpersonal interactions suffer
- positively correlated to perceptions of micro-aggressions and self stigma b/c as operational stressors increase = increase perceived micro-aggressions and public/self stigma
16
Q
stress risk factors
A
- demographics
- job characteristics
- personality
- personal
17
Q
stress risk factors - demographic
A
- age
- marital status
- gender
- size of jurisdiction
18
Q
age as a demographic risk factor
A
- positively correlated with stress
- physiologically as you get older shift work becomes more difficult to adjust too
- older in age = increase in stress, experience more trauma, more fatigue
19
Q
marital status as a demographic risk factor
A
married police officers experience higher levels of stress
20
Q
gender as a demographic risk factor
A
male police officers experience more stress
21
Q
size of jurisdiction as a demographic risk factor
A
- districts with more than 50,000 residents experience more stress
- in Alberta that would be most areas and most officers
22
Q
stress risk factors - job characteristics
A
(inconsistent results)
- rank
- years of experience
- operational factors
- organizational factors
23
Q
rank as a job characteristic risk factor
A
- some studies show lower ranks experience higher levels of stress and some studies find higher ranks experience higher stress
- could be variability in roles within ranks
- different stressors for different ranks?
24
Q
years of experience as a job characteristic risk factor
A
- significantly related to experience of stress
- some studies find with increased years it decreases stress and some found it increases stress
25
operational factors as a job characteristic risk factor
- can increase the experience of stress
- can change depending on the role
26
organizational factors as a job characteristic risk factor
- can increase the experience of stress
- can be impacted by quality of leadership
27
stress risk factors - personality
- neuroticism (emotional stability)
- psychoticism (inappropriate emotional expression)
- introversion
- resiliency
28
neuroticism as a personality risk factor
as neuroticism increases people experience more anxiousness, worry, negative emotions and mood disorders which increases stress
29
psychoticism as a personality risk factor
- as psychoticism increases, stress can increase
- impacts interactions, compliance, emotional regulation
30
introversion as a personality risk factor
- can be drained easier by interactions and activities, needs to think things through more
- can impact teamwork
- being an officer dealing with the public and others frequently may cause an individual stress
31
resiliency as a personality risk factor
- being able to adapt to adversity, bounce back and grow from difficult situations
- work commitment, situational control, how much they experience stress
- people who can deal effectively with stress and adversity often exhibit higher resilience
32
stress risk factors - personal
- coping strategies
- physical exercise
- hobbies
- smoking
33
coping strategies as a personal risk factor
- can be adaptive or maladaptive
- e.g. avoidance, isolation or smoking/drinking are maladaptive coping strategies
34
physical exercise as a personal risk factor
physical exercise is apart of stress management mentally and physically
35
hobbies as a personal risk factor
- having something you enjoy and that you can use to help separate yourself from the role of an officer gives you a mindful break
- increases self-efficacy and relieves stress
36
smoking as a personal risk factor
can temporarily decrease stress but long-term increases stress
37
3 coping strategies
1. problem-focused
2. emotion-focused
3. avoidant
38
problem focused coping
actively working to change a stressful situation, which can include instrumental support, planning, and positive reframing
39
emotion-focused coping
working toward regulating the emotions associated with the stressful situation, which can include venting, use of emotional support, humour, acceptance, self-blame, and religion
40
avoidant coping
physical or cognitive efforts to disengage from the stressor, which can include self-distraction, denial, substance use, and behavioural disengagement
41
adaptive coping
- active problem solving
- emotional support
- instrumental support
- positive reframing
- planning
- acceptance
42
maladaptive coping
- self-distraction
- denial
- substance-use
- behavioural disengagement
- venting
- self-blame
