NCJ Number
50846
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 362-367
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY OF A MIDWESTERN POLICE DEPARTMENT FINDS ROLE STRESS SIGNIFICANTLY RELATED TO JOB DISSATISFACTION, TENSION, AND ANXIETY. SUCH STRESS AFFECTS PERCEPTION OF SUPERVISION AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.
Abstract
QUESTIONNAIRES (NOT INCLUDED) AND A JOB DIAGNOSTIC SURVEY WERE USED TO MEASURE ATTITUDES OF 99 POLICE OFFICERS IN A CITY WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 200,000. THE QUESTIONNAIRE COVERED ROLE AMBIGUITY, ROLE CONFLICT, GENERAL JOB SATISFACTION, JOB INVOLVEMENT, COMMITMENT TO THE ORGANIZATION, PERCEPTIONS OF THE SUPERVISOR, AND PERCEPTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. TABLES PRESENT THE STUDY DATA IN DETAIL. COMMENTARY DISCUSSES THE MATHEMATICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH ITEM. IT WAS FOUND THAT ROLE CONFUSION AND ROLE AMBIGUITY ARE STRONGLY RELATED TO NEGATIVE JOB PERCEPTIONS AND ALSO ARE SIGNIFICANTLY RELATED TO PERCEPTIONS OF BOTH THE SUPERVISOR AND THE ORGANIZATION. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT ROLE AMBIGUITY CAN INTERVENE BETWEEN SUPERVISORY STYLE AND SUBORDINATE RESPONSES. THE PLIGHT OF THE POLICE OFFICER WHO MUST ADJUST TO CONFLICTING ROLE DEMANDS IN THE COMMUNITY IS EXAMINED. OTHER STUDIES ON THE SUBJECT ARE BRIEFLY REVIEWED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE NEED FOR REDUCING ROLE UNCERTAINTY MAY EXPLAIN THE POPULARITY OF STRONG, AUTHORITARIAN SUPERVISION. PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS FOR DEALING WITH SUCH STRESS ARE BRIEFLY LISTED; THE MOST COMMON IS LEAVING THE JOB. TOPICS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ARE SUGGESTED. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES. (GLR)