AUTHOR=Eikenhout Liselotte Marina Josephine , Delahaij Roos , Van Dam Karen , Kamphuis Wim , Hulshof Inge Leonie , Van Ruysseveldt Joris TITLE=Chronic stressors and burnout in Dutch police officers: Two studies into the complex role of coping self-efficacy JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1054053 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1054053 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=Introduction

Burnout 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.

Methods

As 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.

Results

Both 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.

Discussion

The 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.