Job stress in the law enforcement sector: comparing the linear, non‐linear and interaction effects of working conditions

Abstract

This study addresses a gap in much of the research involving stress among high‐risk occupations by investigating the effects of linear, non‐linear and interaction models in a law enforcement organization that has undertaken a series of efficiency‐driven organizational reforms. The results of a survey involving 2085 police officers indicated that the demand–control–support model provided good utility in predicting an officer's satisfaction, commitment and well‐being. In particular, social support and job control were closely associated with all three outcome variables. Although the demand × control/support interactions were not identified in the data, there was some support for the curvilinear effects of job demands. The results have implications for the organizational conditions that need to be addressed in contemporary policing environments where new public management strategies have had widespread affects on the social and organizational context in which policing takes place. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An application of an extended effort-reward imbalance model to police absenteeism behaviour

“…The results of this research suggest that perceptions of low job demand are likely to lead to increasing absenteeism. The finding that a low level of effort was associated with increased absenteeism is consistent with the notion of underutilisation or underload as a stressor (Frankenhaeuser and Gardell, 1976;Noblet et al, 2009). The current study is cross-sectional and survey based, therefore limits the extent to which we can confirm the reasons behind the relationship between low effort conditions and absenteeism.…”

Lidiando con el burnout: Análisis de relaciones lineales, no lineales y de interacción.

“…Previous research (Noblet, Rodwell, & Allisey, 2009) has shown that comparing direct, indirect and interaction effects can help clarify the relationships between variables. We therefore hope that the results of this study will help us to better understand the relationship between coping and burnout.…”

“…For example Noblet, Rodwell and Allisey (2009) and Warr (1990) found that job satisfaction has a significant curvilinear inverted Ushaped relationship with job demands. In the same way, Yankelevich, Broadfoot, Gillespie, Gillespie and Guidroz (2012) examined the nonlinear relationships between a general measure of stress at work and two outcomes, intention to quit and job satisfaction, finding evidence for an explanation of the curvilinear behaviour of these variables.…”

Work‐related dimensions and job stress: the moderating effect of coping strategies

“…Stress may be encountered in virtually every key element in a particular job, yet the potential for increased levels of stress is apparent from pressures for change occurring in the contemporary work environment (Cooper, 2005; Noblet, Rodwell, & Allisey, 2009; Schabracq & Cooper, 2000). For instance, productivity pressures, short‐term contract culture of employment, job uncertainties due to corporate restructuring, increase in the pace, volume and complexity of workloads faced by employees, outsourcing of operations, growing international competition, changes in organizational strategies and rapid social modernization in work styles have generated unprecedented levels of stress in organizations (see Moncrief, Babakus, Cravens, & Johnston, 1997; Noblet & Rodwell, 2008).…”