An Investigation of Mental Health and Personality in Swedish Police Trainees upon Entry to the Police Academy

This study aimed at personality and mental health status of Swedish police trainees considering gender differences; and at relationships between personality and mental health. 103 individuals were investigated by means of the SCL-90-R and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) upon entry to the police academy. By contrast, the police trainees were mentally much healthier than individuals from the general population. They reported low Harm Avoidance and their character dimensions were more developed in terms of strength, responsibility and reliability. Harm Avoidance (positively) and Self-Directedness (negatively) were found to be associated with all facets of psychopathology. The good mental health and mature personality characteristics reported by trainees, particularly the females, suggest that they have the strength to master the stressful situations which they will face in their professional lives. In order to prevent possible psychological disturbances later in life, due to the high level of distress in their work, the development of trainees’ personality in terms of particular coping skills should be regarded as an integral part of their professional training at the police academy.