AI Insight
This study of 1,464 Chinese police officers examined how work stress leads to occupational burnout through two pathways: work interference with family (WIF) and affective work rumination (AWR). Results showed that police work stress directly increases burnout, but also operates indirectly by disrupting family life and causing persistent negative thoughts about work during off-hours. The serial pathway—where work stress first interferes with family life, which then triggers negative rumination about work—was statistically significant for overall burnout and two of its three dimensions.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that reducing police officer burnout requires addressing not only workplace stressors but also supporting work-family balance and teaching strategies to minimize negative thoughts about work during personal time. This multi-level approach could inform more effective burnout prevention programs in high-stress occupations.
Understand the Science
BackgroundWork-related strain may extend beyond the workplace by disrupting family life and sustaining emotionally distressing thoughts about work during off-job time. This study tested whether the association between police work stress and occupational burnout included a serial indirect component through work interference with family (WIF) and affective work rumination (AWR).MethodsA cross-sectional survey was completed by 1,464 police officers serving across nine cities in southeastern China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to estimate the direct association and three prespecified indirect effects involving WIF and AWR.ResultsBivariate analyses revealed significant positive associations among police work stress, work interference with family (WIF), affective work rumination (AWR), and occupational burnout. Police work stress was significantly and positively associated with overall occupational burnout and its three specific dimensions. In the overall occupational burnout model, the indirect effects through WIF, through AWR, and serially through both were all statistically significant. Dimension-specific analyses showed that the total indirect effect was significant in the personal burnout and work-related burnout models, but not in the client-related burnout model.ConclusionThe direct association between police work stress and occupational burnout remained significant after WIF and AWR were included in the model. Significant indirect effects were observed separately through WIF and AWR. The serial indirect association through WIF followed by AWR was also statistically significant. Burnout-prevention programs could address organizational stressors alongside family-supportive practices, work–home boundary management, and techniques for reducing affective rumination outside working hours.