Estrés laboral y rasgos de personalidad en servidores policiales de la ciudad de Cuenca, 2023

Abstract

Policing duties demand a significant level of effort, as those engaged in this profession find themselves immersed in high-risk operations and witness events with a substantial impact on their emotional well-being. Moreover, they frequently encounter unfavorable criticism from the public. These circumstances can lead to an overwhelming emotional burden, potentially interfering with the daily work tasks of Police Officers (PO). The aim of this study was to identify levels of occupational stress and their correlation with personality traits among PO, seeking a deeper understanding of how these traits may influence stress levels. The research employed a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, correlational, cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of n=203 PO from the North District of Police Subzone Azuay No.1. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Occupational Stress Scale from the ILO-WHO, and the Personality Inventory for ICD-11 PiCD were administered. The results revealed that 23.6% of Police Officers exhibited stress levels ranging from moderate to higher. Statistically significant correlations were found between stress and personality traits labeled as negative affectivity, disinhibition, detachment, and dissociality. Additionally, age and years of service were observed to be related to stress levels, while no significant differences were found based on gender.