Perception of Health, Resilience, and Engagement in Spanish Police Officers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

  1. Beatriz Talavera-Velasco 1
  2. Lourdes Luceño-Moreno 2
  3. Yolanda García-Albuerne 2
  4. Jesús Martín-García 2
  1. 1 CES Cardenal Cisnero
  2. 2 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR 02p0gd045

Journal:
Psicothema

ISSN: 0214-9915,  1886-144X

Year of publication: 2021

Volume: 33

Issue: 4

Pages: 556-563

Type: Article

DOI: 10.7334/PSICOTHEMA2021.153 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Psicothema

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the police force was one of the institutions that was most exposed to possible infections, in addition to suffering stressful situations that affect health. This study aims to independently assess the relationship between demographic, work, and COVID-19 variables, and resilience, engagement, and the perception of health, as well as to evaluate which variables are more important when predicting health perceptions. Method: 640 Spanish police offi cers were evaluated through a cross-sectional design and online survey. Results: The perception of the lack of personal protective equipment, believing that it is easy to become infected with COVID-19, or working as a police offi cer were associated with low levels of engagement and resilience and a worse perception of health. More years of experience in the police force was associated with worse health and lower levels of engagement and resilience. Engagement and resilience would be protective variables of health. Conclusions: It is necessary to promote practices related to engagement and resilience in the police force. The discussion emphasizes that more experienced police offi cers demonstrate less engagement and resilience

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