Psychic suffering among civil police officers in Rio de Janeiro State

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2013-03, Vol.18 (3), p.633
• Main Authors: Pinto, Liana Wernersbach, Figueiredo, Ana Elisa Bastos, de Souza, Edinilsa Ramos
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Adult; Brazil - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Police; Quality of Life; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Victimization
• ISSN: 1413-8123; 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232013000300009

The paper discusses the relationship between work and psychic suffering among police officers in the State of Rio de Janeiro. A questionnaire was filled out by these professionals in three separate studies: Capital Baixada Fluminense and Interior. The socio-demographic profile, quality of life, health and working conditions were investigated. Psychic suffering was measured by the SRQ-20. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with psychic suffering. The results showed it to be associated with the following variables: level of satisfaction with the ability to react to difficult situations; performing the work for which the officers were trained; suffering some victimization; unit location; problems in the nervous system; and degree of satisfaction with life in general. Those who reported problems in the nervous system and victimization showed an OR of 7.25 and 3.08, respectively. The professionals who considered themselves dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the ability to react to difficult situations and life in general showed an OR of 10.85 and 6.69, respectively, compared with those who considered themselves satisfied or very satisfied. Professionals from the Baixada showed an increased risk of psychic suffering compared to a reduced risk among those from the Interior.