Some psychosocial problems of police officers in Lithuania

Abstract

Stress plays an important role in human life. Under normal conditions it has a favorable influence. However, constant pathological stress can be harmful. The results can be depression, leading sometimes to alcohol and/or drug abuse, or suicide. Some specific groups of society are affected by stress more frequently and more severely. One of these groups is the police. This article aims to identify key psychosocial problem which police officers of Lithuania are encountering in an independent post-communist state. The common social situation in Lithuania is briefly reviewed and the main stress factors which influence police officers are evaluated using a specially developed Lithuanian University of Law Questionnaire (LULQ). The stress factors having the greatest negative effect are the administrative problem of police work, family problems, and an ineffective criminal justice system. The results are compared with similar studies carried out in the USA. Tlx necessity of amendments in LULQ and survey design, as well as the development of a program of police officer psychophysiological "abilitation" and rehabilitation, are discussed.