Workplace Harassment, Work Overload, and Psychological Distress in Female Police Officers

Abstract

Current correlational study was carried out to assess the relationship among workplace harassment, work overload, and psychological distress in female police officers. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between workplace harassment, work overload, and psychological distress. The sample comprised of 100 female police officers with age range from 21- 40 years selected from different police stations and training centers of Lahore by using purposive sampling technique. Self-translated Urdu version of Negative Acts Questionnaire (Einarsen, Hoel, & Notelaers, 2009), Reilly’s Role Overload Scale (Reilly, 1982), and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler et al., 2009) were used to assess study variables. Correlational analysis revealed that workplace harassment was positively correlated with work overload and psychological distress. Moreover, regression analysis revealed that workplace harassment was a positive predictor for psychological distress. The study has implications in police force to develop harassment control strategies and effective work hours to reduce psychological distress and promote healthy work environment for female employees.