Policewomen’s Perceptions of the Interaction Between Their Work and Their Health

Details

• Personal Author:
  O'Neill S
• Description:
  At present in the United States, women make up 14.5% of sworn municipal police officers (Harrington et al, 2001). Female police occupational health research focuses primarily on occupational stress. A broader description of police occupational health issues is needed so police departments and healthcare providers can develop programs to promote female police officers' health. The purpose of this study was to describe female police officers' perceptions of the interaction between their work and their health. The aims were to describe female police officers' images of health, describe perceived health benefits from working as a female police officer, perceived detrimental health effects of working as a female police officer, female police officers' priorities for health programs that can contribute to their health, how gender role issues affect occupational health, and police institution's contribution to female police officers' health. Eighteen female police officers employed by the Seattle Police Department were interviewed. Qualitative data analysis methods were utilized in this project. Female police officers' images of health were similar to those reported by women in previous studies, including clinical, role performance, adaptive, and eudaemonistic categories. Benefits from policework were good health insurance and an impetus to remain healthy. Detrimental health risks included ergonomic exposures, hazardous conditions, and psychological exposures resulting in negative health effects of back, shoulder, and repetitive strain injuries and psychological effects such as cynicism and physical arousal. Gender role effected communication strategies, and ergonomic health. Health promotion strategies related by the participants included exercise, utilization of health providers, prioritizing equipment, personal protective equipment, and relationships with both humans and pets. Ideas for change included a childcare facility, wellness program, job-sharing program, sanctioned time for exercise, and a psychological support program. Gender role issues included participants' being vigilant in being healthy, communication, and ergonomic health. The police institutional practices, difficult working hours and lack of support for health, were perceived to detrimentally affect health. Research investigating the effects of police institutional programs promoting health is suggested. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Health Promotion Law Enforcement Occupational Health Safety Sex Characteristics Women
• Keywords:
  Gender Factors Health Promotion Law Enforcement Workers Occupational Health Police Officers Work Experience
• Publisher:
  ProQuest LLC.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Dissertation
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057874
• Citation:
  Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC., 2004 Aug; :3139519
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2004
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  19940701
• Source Full Name:
  Policewomen's perceptions of the interaction between their work and their health
• End Date:
  20060630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7230d37decdfa03b75093e2409f25eb0c9769b81e278382c2a914d6149904246b9416929c6ab83e8596af0dd065f7ad4f3c888754fff741794f40380b2df578e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/215080/cdc_215080_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.14 MB ]