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Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
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Stress in Spanish police force depending on occupational rank, sex, age and work-shift

Lourdes Luceño-Moreno, Yolanda García-Albuerne, Beatriz Talavera-Velasco and Jesús Martín-García

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Background: In the police force, some variables such as occupational rank, sex, age and work-shift are associated with stress in workers. The aim of this paper was to determine possible differences in the perception of occupational stress at work depending on rank, sex, age and work-shift of police agents in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 municipalities of the Community of Madrid. A total number of 565 police agents participated. The ranks of the police agents were: constable, corporal, sergeant and police chief. Occupational stress (psychosocial risk factors at work) was assessed with the DECORE Questionnaire. Results: All police agents perceived psychosocial risk factors adversely; especially agents of lesser rank perceived less control, fewer rewards and scarce support. There were significant differences in the perception of insufficient rewards between constables and other categories; and between constables and corporals in the perception of insufficient organisational support. No significant differences were found in the perception of psychosocial risk factors in relation to the rest of variables. Conclusions: The police rank should be taken into account for the development of preventive measures to reduce stress.

Estrés en policías españoles según rango ocupacional, sexo, edad y turno de trabajo. Antecedentes: en la policía, algunas variables como el rango ocupacional, el sexo, la edad y el tipo de turno se relacionan con estrés en trabajadores. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer si existían diferencias en la percepción de estrés laboral en policías de la Comunidad de Madrid (España), según el rango ocupacional, el sexo, la edad y el tipo de turno. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 24 municipios de la Comunidad de Madrid. Participaron 565 policías. Los rangos evaluados fueron: agente, cabo, sargento y jefe de policía. El estrés laboral (riesgos psicosociales del trabajo) fue evaluado con el cuestionario DECORE. Resultados: todos los policías evaluados percibieron los factores de riesgo psicosocial de forma adversa. Específicamente, los que ocupaban rangos inferiores percibieron menos control, escasas recompensas y escaso apoyo. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la percepción de escasas recompensas entre agentes y el resto de rangos; y entre agentes y cabos en la percepción de escaso apoyo organizacional. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la percepción de los factores de riesgo psicosocial en el resto de variables. Conclusiones: el rango policial debería tenerse en cuenta en el desarrollo de medidas preventivas para reducir el estrés.

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