Acknowledgment and psychiatric symptoms in police officers in Switzerland

The way supervisors acknowledge specific contribution and efforts of their employees has an impact on occupational health and wellbeing. Acknowledgement is a protective factor when it is sufficiently provided. We carried out a study about occupational health in police officers with special emphasis on acknowledgment and reward. A questionnaire was sent to 1000 police officers and inspectors working for a cantonal administration in Switzerland. In total, 695 participants answered the questionnaire. We used the TST questionnaire (French version of the Langner's questionnaire on psychiatric symptoms) to identify cases characterized by potential mental health problems. Multiple choice items (5 modalities ranging from "not at all" to "tremendously") were used to measure acknowledgment. The score for psychiatric symptoms was high (TST score >or= 9) for 86 police officers and inspectors for whom health might be at risk. Compared with police officers having low or medium scores for psychiatric symptoms (TST score < 9), police officers with high TST scores were more likely to report the lack of support and attention from the supervisors (odds ratio [OR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0 to 5.1) and the lack of acknowledgment by the hierarchy (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 4.8). They were also more likely to mention that judicial authorities have a low consideration for police officers (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.3) and that the public in general have a low appreciation of police officers (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.9). Preserving mental health in occupations characterized by high emotional demand is challenging. Our results show that acknowledgment and mental health are associated. Further research should address a potential causal relation of acknowledgment on mental health in police officers and inspectors.

Acknowledgment and health in police officers

The way colleagues and supervisors acknowledge specific contribution and efforts of individuals is crucial for occupational mental health and well being. It contributes to improve the self image of employees and it gives a sense to the activities performed. We carried out a study about occupational health in police officers with a special emphasis on acknowledgment and reward. A questionnaire was sent to 1000 police officers working for a cantonal administration in Switzerland. In total, 695 participants answered the questionnaire. We used the French version of the Langner's questionnaire on psychiatric symptoms to identify cases characterized by potential mental health problems. Multiple choice items (6 modalities ranging from "not at all" to "tremendously") to measure acknowledgment were used. Answers were later dichotomized (low annoyance- high annoyance). Questions we used are: "Do you feel annoyed due to a lack of support and attention from your supervisors?" "Do you feel annoyed because the authorities (politics, judges, etc.) have a low consideration of your occupation?" "Do you feel annoyed due to a low appreciation by the public?" and "Do you feel annoyed due to a lack of acknowledgment by the hierarchy?". The score for psychiatric symptoms was high for 86 police officers for whom health might be at risk. Acknowledgment aspects associated with a high score for psychiatric symptoms are : high annoyance due to a lack of support and attention from supervisors (odds ratio [OR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0 to 5.1), high annoyance because authorities seems to have a low consideration for police officers (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.3), high annoyance due to a low appreciation by the public (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.9), and high annoyance due to a lack of acknowledgment by the hierarchy (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 4.8). Preserving mental health in occupations characterized by high emotional demand is challenging. The results from our study suggest that appropriate acknowledgment might contribute to the prevention of mental health problems. Further research should address a potential causal relation of acknowledgment on mental health.

Cardiovascular effects in patrol officers are associated with fine particulate matter from brake wear and engine emissions

Background: Exposure to fine particulate matter air pollutants (PM2.5) affects heart rate variability parameters, and levels of serum proteins associated with inflammation, hemostasis and thrombosis. This study investigated sources potentially responsible for cardiovascular and hematological effects in highway patrol troopers. Results: Nine healthy young non-smoking male troopers working from 3 PM to midnight were studied on four consecutive days during their shift and the following night. Sources of in-vehicle PM2.5 were identified with variance-maximizing rotational principal factor analysis of PM2.5-components and associated pollutants. Two source models were calculated. Sources of in-vehicle PM2.5 identified were 1) crustal material, 2) wear of steel automotive components, 3) gasoline combustion, 4) speed-changing traffic with engine emissions and brake wear. In one model, sources 1 and 2 collapsed to a single source. Source factors scores were compared to cardiac and blood parameters measured ten and fifteen hours, respectively, after each shift. The "speed-change" factor was significantly associated with mean heart cycle length (MCL, +7% per standard deviation increase in the factor score), heart rate variability (+16%), supraventricular ectopic beats (+39%), % neutrophils (+7%), % lymphocytes (-10%), red blood cell volume MCV (+1%), von Willebrand Factor (+9%), blood urea nitrogen (+7%), and protein C (-11%). The "crustal" factor (but not the "collapsed" source) was associated with MCL (+3%) and serum uric acid concentrations (+5%). Controlling for potential confounders had little influence on the effect estimates. Conclusion: PM2.5 originating from speed-changing traffic modulates the autonomic control of the heart rhythm, increases the frequency of premature supraventricular beats and elicits proinflammatory and pro-thrombotic responses in healthy young men. [Authors]

Association of work related chronic stressors and psychiatric symptoms in a Swiss sample of police officers : a cross sectional questionnaire study

Purpose (1) To identify work related stressors that are associated with psychiatric symptoms in a Swiss sample of policemen and (2) to develop a model for identifying officers at risk for developing mental health problems. Method The study design is cross sectional. A total of 354 male police officers answered a questionnaire assessing a wide spectrum of work related stressors. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the "TST questionnaire" (Langner in J Health Hum Behav 4, 269-276, 1962). Logistic regression with backward procedure was used to identify a set of variables collectively associated with high scores for psychiatric symptoms. Results A total of 42 (11.9%) officers had a high score for psychiatric symptoms. Nearly all potential stressors considered were significantly associated (at P < 0.05) with a high score for psychiatric symptoms. A significant model including 6 independent variables was identified: lack of support from superior and organization OR = 3.58 (1.58-8.13), self perception of bad quality work OR = 2.99 (1.35-6.59), inadequate work schedule OR = 2.84 (1.22-6.62), high mental/intellectual demand OR = 2.56 (1.12-5.86), age (in decades) OR = 1.82 (1.21-2.73), and score for physical environment complaints OR = 1.30 (1.03-1.64). Conclusions Most of work stressors considered are associated with psychiatric symptoms. Prevention should target the most frequent stressors with high association to symptoms. Complaints of police officers about stressors should receive proper consideration by the management of public administration. Such complaints might be the expression of psychiatric caseness requiring medical assistance. Particular attention should be given to police officers complaining about many stressors identified in this study's multiple model. [Authors]