Police stress and personality factors: A conceptual model

Despite the sizeable volume of literature on police stress, little empirical research has been done on the problem, and no studies have accounted for individual differences in response to job stress. This study proposes a model which explains differential response to police stressors according to personality variables of police officers. Specific job stressors are measured by means of a Police Stress Inventory. Through canonical correlation analysis a number of personality traits are identified which correlate significantly with police stress. The personality-stress response model accounted for a sizeable proportion of responses to job stressors given by police subjects.