NCJ Number
52855
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 402-412
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
CONFLICTS BETWEEN OCCUPATIONAL ROLES AND MARITAL ROLES WERE EXPLORED BY GIVING IDENTICAL QUESTIONNAIRES TO 70 MALE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, 29 WIVES, AND 3 FUTURE WIVES. IMPLICATIONS OF THESE CONFLICTS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THIS STUDY EXAMINED THE OFFICER'S PERCEPTION OF HIS ROLE AND ROLE CONFLICTS BETWEEN JOB AND HOME. THE RESEARCH SAMPLE CONSISTED OF 70 RURAL AND SMALL TOWN POLICE OFFICERS ATTENDING A 14-WEEK BASIC LAW ENFORCEMENT SESSION AT A POLICE ACADEMY IN ISSAQUAH, WASH., AND THE WIVES OR FUTURE WIVES ALSO ATTENDING. THE SECTION ON JOB PERCEPTION DISCLOSED THAT THE PERCEIVED EXPECTATIONS OF THE FAMILY AND THE PERCEIVED EXPECTATIONS OF SUPERIORS WERE MOST SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM EXPECTATIONS HELD BY THE PEER GROUP. THE OFFICERS TENDED TO CONFORM TO PEER EXPECTATIONS. OFFICERS WITH LESS THAN 2 YEARS SERVICE REPORTED LESS JOB COMMITMENT AND, CONCURRENTLY, MORE MARITAL HAPPINESS. HOWEVER, THE POLICE OFFICERS AS A GROUP DID NOT PERCEIVE THEIR JOB PROBLEMS AS CAUSING MARITAL PROBLEMS. THE WIVES' RESPONSES MIRRORED THE CLASSIC STUDIES IN THE FIELD. THE WOMEN REPORTED THAT THEIR HUSBANDS BECAME GRADUALLY MORE DETACHED AND LESS EMOTIONAL WITH EACH YEAR OF SERVICE, WITH THE GREATEST CHANGE OCCURRING IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS. THIS REPRESSION OF FEELINGS WAS SEEN AS AFFECTING MARITAL HAPPINESS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PAST FAMILY RELATIONS PROGRAMS HAVE PLACED TOO MUCH OF THE ADJUSTMENT BURDEN ON SPOUSES. ADMINISTRATORS OUGHT TO CONSIDER THE EFFECTS OF DOUBLE SHIFTS AND OTHER MANPOWER DECISIONS ON THE FAMILY. OFFICERS THEMSELVES OUGHT TO LEARN TO USE HUMOR AND EMPATHY IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL POLICE DETACHMENT. REDUCED JOB PERFORMANCE, PERSONNEL TURNOVER, AND LOW MORALE ARE TRACED TO JOB AND MARITAL STRESS. ADMINISTRATORS ARE URGED TO ACTIVELY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. TABLES PRESENT THE STUDY DATA. REFERENCES ARE GIVEN IN FOOTNOTES. (GLR)