Chronic stressors and burnout in Dutch police officers: Two studies into the complex role of coping self-efficacy

IntroductionBurnout 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. MethodsAs 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. ResultsBoth 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. DiscussionThe 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.

Automated summary

This article examines the issue of burnout among Dutch police officers and investigates the buffering effect of coping self-efficacy on burnout, as well as the depletion effect of burnout on coping self-efficacy. The results indicate that chronic stressors like work scheduling are positively associated with burnout, while coping self-efficacy weakens this association and there is a negative relationship between burnout and coping self-efficacy. The findings suggest that burnout can lead to a decrease in coping resources, initiating a potential cycle of resource loss and burnout.