Relationship between Operational/Organizational Stress and Family Distress in Police Officers, from Anti Narcotic Force (ANF) Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Sajida Naz, Nida Jamshed & Sayyeda Namoos Kazmi

Abstract
Police is the backbone of law enforcement agencies that is becoming a hub of
immense stress and frustration due to the prevailing situation, in Pakistan. Thus,
this research was carried out to unveil the underlying stressors in the police
department and to explore if these stressors are encroaching and invading their
family lives and affecting them in any way. A quantitative research was carried
out for this purpose. Two questionnaires were used in this research; police stress
questionnaire and Index of family relations. 150 police officers recruited in ANF
police stations in Rawalpindi were approached for the research purpose. The
results of the study showed a strong correlation between operational Stress and
family distress in police officers (r=0.33 and p<.001). Simple regression analysis
showed that operational stress is a strong indicator of family distress in police
officers (beta=-.030, p<0.01). This research indicates the existence of occupational
stress in police officials that can lead to high family distress. As police job is
dangerous and stressful in nature this aspect cannot be eradicated therefore the
need of the hour is to introduce useful interventions for controlling and managing
these stressors. This can help identify the elements of occupational stress and
family distress and educate the police departments on how to overcome and
manage such huge amounts of stress and distress among their employees.

Key Words: Police Stress, Family Distress, Punjab Police Pakistan