The impact of workplace stressors on exhaustion and work engagement in policing

Lockey, S.; Graham, L.; Zheng, Y.; Hesketh, I.; Plater, M.; Gracey, S.

Abstract

This paper uses the challenge-hindrance stressor framework to examine the impact of challenge and hindrance stressors on police officer and staff well-being. Results of two studies conducted in English police forces demonstrate that challenge stressors relate positively to the effort and enthusiasm individuals invest into their work. Findings also indicate that while challenge stressors are positively associated with exhaustion cross-sectionally (Study 1, N = 469), they do not impact exhaustion over time (Study 2, N = 823). Conversely, hindrance stressors cause exhaustion in the long-term and are negatively associated with work engagement cross-sectionally. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Citation

Lockey, S., Graham, L., Zheng, Y., Hesketh, I., Plater, M., & Gracey, S. (2022). The impact of workplace stressors on exhaustion and work engagement in policing. Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles, 95(1), 190-206. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x211016532

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: May 13, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 13, 2021
• Journal: Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles
• Print ISSN: 0032-258X
• Electronic ISSN: 1740-5599
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 95
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 190-206
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x211016532
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1248160