Job stress, burnout and coping strategies in the South African police service

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if coping strategies could moderate the relationship between occupational stress and burnout in a sample of police officers.  A cross-sectional design was used.  A stratified random sample (n=340) was taken of police members in the Western Cape.  The Police Stress Invesntory, Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey and COPE questionnaire were administered.  Structural equation modelling showed that occupational stress due to job demands and a lack of resources leads to burnout.  Two coping strategies were identified, namely avoidance coping and approach coping (consisting of active coping, emotional support and turning to religion).  Avoidance coping moderated the relationship between occupational stress and burnout.  Approach coping had an independent effect on burnout.