Cited by 329Stress and Burnout ResearchWorkplace Health and Well-beingOccupational Health and Burnout

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The relationship between organisational stressors and mental wellbeing within police officers: a systematic review

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Purba, Amrit, Demou, Evangelia·2019·BMC Public Health

DOI 10.1186/s12889-019-7609-0PMC PMC6792329

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Abstract

Background: Occupational stressors in police work increase the risk for officer mental health morbidities. Officers’ poor mental wellbeing is harmful to the individual, can affect professionalism, organisational effectiveness, and public safety. While the impact of operational stressors on officers’ mental wellbeing is well documented, no review has systematically investigated organisational stressor impacts. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to assess the relationship between organisational stressors and police officer mental wellbeing. Methods: Systematic review conducted following PRISMA and Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Literature search was undertaken from 1990 to May 2017 on four databases (EBSCOHOST Medline/SocINDEX/PsycINFO/OVID Embase) and grey literature. Included articles were critically appraised and assessed for risk of bias. Narrative and evidence syntheses were performed by specific mental health outcomes. Results: In total, 3571 results were returned, and 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. All included studies were published in English between 1995 and 2016, had cross-sectional study designs, spanned across four continents and covered 15,150 officers. Strong evidence of significant associations was identified for organisational stressors and the outcomes of: occupational stress, psychiatric symptoms/psychological distress, emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. The organisational stressors most often demonstrating consistently significant associations with mental health outcomes included lack of support, demand, job pressure, administrative/organisational pressure and long working-hours. Conclusions: This review is the first to systematically examine organisational stressors and mental health in police officers. Organisational stressors that can be targeted by interventions and policy changes to secure officer wellbeing, a healthy work environment, and benefits to the organisation and the public are identified.

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“The police job is considered stressful, leading to poor physical and mental health outcomes over time, in which burnout is included (1, 2).”
Background
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Joshua, G. B., Tsuma, E. T., Egessa, R., & Onyango, R. (2024) · African Journal of Empirical Research · doi:10.51867/ajernet.5.2.16 · Cited by 2
“This excessive stress that law enforcement officers are exposed to not only threatens their physical and mental health but also affects professionalism, organizational effectiveness, and public safety (Purba & Demou, 2019).”
Background
Sex Differences in Coping Strategies and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Taiwanese Police Officers
Chu, D. C. (2024) · Criminal Justice and Behavior · doi:10.1177/00938548241291026 · Cited by 2
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Oluwasanu, M. M., Oladeji, B. D., Oluwatobi, H., Titiloye, M. A., Adefolarin, A. O., Unogu, M. O., Okafor, P. C., Ajayi, O., Uvere, E., & Ajuwon, A. J. (2024) · Pilot and Feasibility Studies · doi:10.1186/s40814-024-01559-4 · Cited by 3
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Impact of Stress on Adrenal and Neuroendocrine Responses, Body Composition, and Physical Performance Amongst Women in Demanding Tactical Occupations: A Scoping Review
Szivak, T. K., Schafer, E. A., MacDonald, H. V., & Sáenz, C. (2025) · Metabolites · doi:10.3390/metabo15080506 · Cited by 4
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Discretionary Authority Coping and Stress in Human Service Organizations
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“However, three systematic reviews have shown that little is still known about the relationship between coping strategies and stress (Edri-Peer & Cohen, 2025; Kapade Nikam & Shaikh, 2014; Purba & Demou, 2019).”
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Trépanier, M., Deschênes, A.-A., Marin, M., & Gendron, A. (2025) · Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health · doi:10.1080/15555240.2025.2579032 · Cited by 2
“Several studies indicate that police officers who experience high levels of stress have a greater likelihood of developing various mental health issues, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and occupational burnout (Baldwin et al., 2019; Gershon et al., 2009; Purba & Demou, 2019).”
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Police officers’ perspectives on the secondary victimisation of rape and serious sexual assault victims
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Irizar, P., Jackson, L., Gage, S. H., Bell, S. M., Piper, R., Fallon, V., & Goodwin, L. (2022) · Policing A Journal of Policy and Practice · doi:10.1093/police/paac052 · Cited by 2
A Study on Operational Stressors Among Traffic Police Officers in Bengaluru
Mohiddina, F. K., Hafeez, M., Abbas, E. M., Raja, S. B., Prabhu, H. R. A., & Thabsheera, H. (2022) · APIK Journal of Internal Medicine · doi:10.4103/ajim.ajim_92_21 · Cited by 2
Führung als Schutzschild: Wie Führungskräfte spezialisierter Polizeieinheiten innere Belastbarkeit und mentale Stabilität fördern
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“The inconclusive nature of police work, the heavy responsibility of carrying and safely keeping a fire arm, court overtime, and laborious bureaucratic demands are also included (Purba & Demou 2019).”
Background
Impact of Excessive Workload on the Work-Life Balance of Police Personnel in Karnataka
Dhanush, M. R., & Shobha, C. (2023) · DHARANA - Bhavan s International Journal of Business · doi:10.18311/dbijb/2023/34337 · Cited by 2
Workplace Spirituality to Reduce Burnout in Members of The Regional Police Mobile Brigade
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“Paparan terhadap stresor pekerjaan yang terus menerus ini, seperti yang telah disebutkan sebelumnya, menyebabkan tingginya tingkat kelelahan dan masalah kesehatan mental pada petugas polisi di banyak negara (Purba & Demou 2019; Queirós dkk. 2020), termasuk Indonesia, tempat penelitian ini dilakukan.”
Background
Community Policing Practice in the Nigerian Police: Implications of Employee Burnout
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“Furthermore, studies have found that personal accomplishment was a protective factor for dissatisfaction at the workplace (Torres-Vences et al. 2022; Purba and Demou 2019; Basinska and Dåderman 2019).”
Perkaitan Antara Sokongan Sosial Keluarga dengan Kemurungan dalam kalangan Anggota Polis Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah, Selangor
Johari, M. A., Ahmad, S. B., & Ismail, Z. (2021) · Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH) · doi:10.47405/mjssh.v6i9.1012 · Cited by 2
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Sulaikah, S., Maharani, A., & Hidayah, Z. (2021) · Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education · doi:10.36312/jime.v7i3.2318 · Cited by 2
“Berbagai faktor risiko berkontribusi pada stres dan kesusahan yang dialami oleh petugas polisi; ini sering dibagi menjadi dua kategori: stres operasional dan organisasi (Evans & Coman, 1993); (Purba & Demou, 2019).”
Background
Psychometric Properties of the PSQ-OP and PSQ-ORG in Puerto Rico
Rico, P. U. C. D. P., Ramos, A. D., Vega, A. V., & Rico, I. I. P. (2022) · Revista de Psicología · doi:10.46553/rpsi.18.35.2022.p45-71 · Cited by 2
“Police officers may have to deal with a heavy workload, interpersonal conflict with colleagues and supervisors, inadequate resources, bad timing, and an overly bureaucratic organizational system (Purba & Demou, 2019).”
Background
Suicide clusters in law enforcement: a descriptive analysis
Violanti, J. M. (2022) · Policing An International Journal · doi:10.1108/pijpsm-01-2022-0006 · Cited by 2
Peran Kesejahteraan Psikologis, Dukungan Sosial Sebagai Mediasi Dalam Pengaruh Pengalaman Kerja Dan Kompetensi Manajerial Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai
Sulaikah, S., Maharani, A., & Hidayah, Z. (2021) · Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education · doi:10.58258/jime.v7i3.2318 · Cited by 2
Rescuers Need To Be Rescued: Multi-pronged Strategies to Ensure Mental Well-Being Among Police Personnel
Gupta, V., Upadhyay, S. K., & Malik, C. (2023) · Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology · doi:10.1007/s11896-023-09590-6 · Cited by 2
policial que mata dentro de casa
Cruz, F. G. (2023) · Revista de Estudos Empíricos em Direito · doi:10.19092/reed.v10.748 · Cited by 2
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“However, criminal justice organizations have only recently started paying attention to the well-being of staff (Miller et al., 2022; Purba & Demou, 2019; Ricciardelli & Power, 2020; Trounson et al., 2019).”
Background
The Influence of Wellness on Job Satisfaction among Police Officers: Focused on the Mediating Effect of the Meaning in Work
Han, S., & Kang, K. (2024) · Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.12934/jkpmhn.2024.33.1.18 · Cited by 2
Evaluating the Predictors of Stress among Police Officers: A Current Psychosocial Analysis from Nigeria
Akinlabi, O. M. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-71024-8_12 · Cited by 2
Work and Life Stressors of Law Enforcement PersonnelPreprint
Lawrence, D. S., & Carleton, B. (2023) · CrimRxiv · doi:10.21428/cb6ab371.3e836109 · Cited by 2
“Several studies suggest that operational stressors are more detrimental to officers than occupational stressors (Finney et al., 2013; Purba & Demou, 2019; Shane, 2010; Violanti & Aron, 1993; Violanti et a., 2016, 2017).”
BackgroundInfluential
Primary Care Consultations Among UK Police Officers and Staff
Trompeter, N., Fear, N. T., Greenberg, N. L., Hotopf, M. H., Irizar, P., Wessely, S. C., & Stevelink, S. A. M. (2023) · Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000002819 · Cited by 1
“This model fits wellwith the results of a recent systematic review that identified job demand as being consistently linked with adverse mental health.(7) Later iterations of the job demand-control model include perceived job support as a potential protective factor that might prevent negative outcomes otherwise associ…”
Result
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“The link between police work and psychological injury is well established through research into both organisational and occupational stressors (Kleim & Westphal, 2011; Purba & Demou, 2019).”
Background
The predictive validity of cognitive ability and personality tests toward police on-the-job training
Skoglund, T. H. (2024) · International Journal of Police Science & Management · doi:10.1177/14613557241228726 · Cited by 1
“Policing includes a variety of work assignments in which of ﬁ cers are exposed to different occupational challenges and potential stressors (Berg et al., 2006; Fyhn et al., 2016; Purba and Demou, 2019).”
Background
Analysis of Training and Work Performance on Career Development and Its Implications on Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction of Police Members of The HR Berau of Gorontalo Police: A Quantitative Analysis
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Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Components Among Police Officers
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Loncar, L., Rostad, I. S., Saksvik‐Lehouillier, I., & Langvik, E. (2025) · Nordic Journal of Studies in Policing · doi:10.18261/njsp.12.1.1 · Cited by 1
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Lima, A. D. G. T., de Santana, E. M., Barros, A. C., de Medeiros, S. E. G., Cavalcanti, D. D. F., & de Aquino, J. M. (2025) · Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem · doi:10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2025-0013pt · Cited by 1
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Bersamina, D. R., & Quero, A. R. (2025) · Multidisciplinary Science Journal · doi:10.31893/multiscience.2026290 · Cited by 1
Identifying sources of occupational stress among tactical police officers in Canada
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Experimental Study on the Relationship Between Organizational Culture and Affective Well-Being at Work: Role of Person–Organization Fit
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Smith‐MacDonald, L., Limenih, G., Seliman, M., Crocker, S. J., Osifeso, T., Lentz, L., Brémault‐Phillips, S., MacPhee, R. S., Andérson, G. S., Malloy, D. C., et al. (2026) · Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology · doi:10.1007/s11896-025-09785-z · Cited by 1
“Workplace stressors include making split-second decisions when managing potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE; Heber et al. 2023) during complex and often contradictory environments (Papazoglou 2013; Regehr and LeBlanc 2017) in addition to public scrutiny (Purba and Demou 2019).”
Balancing the Badge in the Bush: The Dual Dynamics of Rural Policing and Police Well-Being in Australia
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Authors: Purba, A., & Demou, E.
Affiliations: University of Glasgow (GB)
MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (GB)
Corresponding author: Demou, Evangelia
ORCID: Purba, Amrit
Demou, Evangelia
Venue: BMC Public Health
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2019-10-15
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Pages: 1286-1286
ISSN: 1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7609-0
PMC: PMC6792329
OpenAlex: W2980327373
Cited by: 328
References: 113
Citations by year: 2026: 59 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 70 · 2023: 59 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 12
FWCI: 3.44
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (tdm)
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-sa)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders: Medical Research Council (MC_PC_13027)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Workplace Health and Well-being
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords: organisational stressors, police officers, psychological well-being, occupational stress, psychological distress, emotional exhaustion, job demands, lack of support, long working hours, administrative pressure, police mental health
MeSH terms: Occupational Stress, Mental Disorders, Humans, Mental Health, Risk Factors, Police

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