Work Stress and Death Anxiety among Police Officers: Moderating Role of Coping Strategies

Abstract

The current research investigated the influence of occupational stress on death anxiety in police officers of Islamabad, with an emphasis on the moderate role of coping strategies. In addition, the relationship between demographic factors and study variables was studied. 180 police officers, between the age groups of 21 and 60 years, were selected through convenience sampling from Police Station (PS) Aabpara, SP/City Office, PS Kohsar, and PS Margalla. Data were obtained through the Workplace Stress Scale, Death Anxiety Scale, and Coping Scale. Findings showed a significant positive correlation between work stress and death anxiety, with linear regression analysis affirming work stress as a significant predictor variable for death anxiety. Moreover, coping styles were found to act as moderators of this relationship, indicating that good coping can buffer occupational stress's psychological effects. Demographic analysis did not yield any differences in stress or anxiety levels between nuclear and joint families' officers; however, married officers showed significantly greater work stress and death anxiety. The results support the need to implement specific interventions to alleviate occupational stress and augment coping skills to ensure police personnel's mental well-being.