Frontiers in Psychology (Dec 2022)

Chronic stressors and burnout in Dutch police officers: Two studies into the complex role of coping self-efficacy

  • Liselotte Marina Josephine Eikenhout,
  • Liselotte Marina Josephine Eikenhout,
  • Roos Delahaij,
  • Karen Van Dam,
  • Wim Kamphuis,
  • Inge Leonie Hulshof,
  • Joris Van Ruysseveldt

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1054053
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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IntroductionBurnout complaints are high for Dutch police officers. According to Hobfoll’s Conservation of Resources theory, resources such as coping self-efficacy can play an important role in the burnout process. The aim of this study was to investigate the buffering effect of coping self-efficacy on burnout, as well as a possible depletion effect of burnout on coping self-efficacy.MethodsAs such, this research consists of two studies namely, a two-wave study (N = 166) and three-wave study (N = 95) on Dutch police officers. They expand on previous research regarding coping resources and police burnout.ResultsBoth studies show that the chronic stressor, work scheduling, was positively associated with burnout. Also, coping self-efficacy weakened the effect of work scheduling (Study 1) and workload (Study 2) on burnout. Moreover, there was a direct negative relationship between burnout and coping self-efficacy.DiscussionThe results indicate that burnout can lead to lower coping resources, initiating a potential cycle of resource loss and burnout. Further investigation into this depletion effect is required to provide police officers and organisations with tools to prevent burnout.

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