NCJ Number
92202
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1983) Pages: 324-329
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Police officers encounter much occupational stress. They have the highest likelihood of being murdered of any occupation and suffer stress symptoms such as divorce, psychiatric illness, alcoholism, and suicide.
Abstract
Broad types of stressors include social stressors, physiological stressors, psychosocial stressors, psychological stressors, philosophical stressors, and primary stressors. Primary stressors are those that initiate the stress response. Secondary stressors result from the first stressor and they perpetuate the stress response. Predictable and controllable stressors are enjoyable, while unpredictable and uncontrollable stressors are avoided. The physical stress response involves increased heart rate, increased strength of heart contractions, increased depth and rate of respiration, increased blood pressure, and increased muscle tension. Prolonged stress can lead to inflammatory processes in the body, such as colitis, phlebitis, and dermatitis. It can also lead to psychosomatic illnesses, such as headache, backache, ulcers, asthma, and hypertension. It can also lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and strokes. Two tables show the pathogenesis of eustress/distress events and recent stressful life events. Five references are included.