THESIS ABSTRACT

1. Title: STRESS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF POLICE

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE POLICE
REGIONAL OFFICE CORDILLERA (PROCOR)
2. Researcher: SYLVIA D TOMAS
3. Degree: MASTER IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Major in Public Safety Management
4. Adviser: PSUPT FERDINAND Z DE ASIS, MPA
5. Type of Document: Thesis
6. Type of Publication: Unpublished Material
7. Institution: METRO – DAGUPAN COLLEGES
8. Special Location where copies can be found:
Metro – Dagupan Colleges
Mangaldan, Pangasinan

CHED, Region 1
San Fernando City, La Union

The study sought to determine the stress management strategies of Police

Commissioned Officers of the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR). The

descriptive method of research utilizing survey questionnaire was used in this study to

further understand the descriptive method of research.

The respondents of this study were 100 Commissioned Officers all assigned as

Regional Staff detailed at the Police Regional Office Cordillera starting from the rank of

Inspector to Police Chief Superintendent.

 Frequency, Percentage, and weighted mean were used to draw the responses on

the various items while the relationship between profile and the causes of stress and the

coping mechanisms of stress was computed using the Pearson Product Moment of

Correlation computed using Microsoft Excel.

Based on the results gathered from the data, the following are the findings: On

profile of the respondents, as to age, many of the police commissioned officers of the

Police Regional Office Cordillera belong to age bracket of 46-50 years old, dominantly

male and have earned Bachelor’s degree. More than half of the respondents belong to the

rank of Police Senior Inspector and Police Chief Inspector.

On work related profile, most of the respondents have only been a year in their

present position, with more than half of them attended already the Intel Officers Basic

Course. Further, most of them have gone through the Public Safety Officers Basic Course

(PSOBC) which is a mandated schooling before being Commissioned as a police officer.

Nearly half of the 100 respondents of PROCOR had attended more than 19 seminars in

relation to their job as law enforcers.

On the common causes of stress experienced by Police Commissioned Officers of

Police Regional Office Cordillera, the results revealed that “deadline of compliance

reports” is the most common cause of stress for the respondents of this study, followed

by “health issues” and “far location of home”.

 Regarding the effects of stress on the daily life of the respondents, the data

revealed that stress causes “sleepless nights” for them including episodes of

“headaches”, cases of “hypertension or high blood” among others.

On the frequency of the stress symptoms and the degree of stressed it causes

them, the respondents admitted that “Sleepless nights”, “headaches”, and “hypertension

or high blood” happens to them monthly when they are “much stressed”.

On the stress coping mechanisms being done by the respondents when they

experience stress, they mentioned that “praying to God”, “facing the problem and

solving it at once” and “keeping one self busy” are among the top coping mechanisms

they do when they are being attacked by stress.

Relative to the frequency of the respondents in using the coping mechanisms of

stress and the degree of helpfulness of these coping mechanisms on them, the PCOs

revealed that they “almost always” praying to God whenever they are in a stressful

situation proved to be Very Helpful on their part as stress-relievers.

On the relationship between the profile of the respondents with the following

variables: a. Causes of Stress – the results revealed age and trainings attended had a

negative relationship with the causes of stress, while highest educational attainment,

number of years in present position, and schoolings attended had a positive relationship

with causes of stress; b. Coping Mechanisms of Stress – the results showed that age and

trainings attended also had a negative relationship with the coping mechanisms of stress,

while highest educational attainment, present rank, number of years in present position,
and schoolings attended had a positive relationship with the coping mechanisms used by

the respondents against stress.

Based of the findings of the study, the following conclusions are hereby derived:

a) There is a positive relationship between the profile of the respondents and the causes

of stress, hence, hypothesis is NOT ACCEPTED; b) There is an established positive

relationship between the profile of the respondents of this study and the coping

mechanisms of stress they use against stress, therefore, hypothesis is NOT ACCEPTED.

The following recommendations are as follows: a) Young police commissioned

officers are not encouraged to handle sensitive and highly pressured tasks since they will

need more maturity in their emotional and mental capabilities as they age to be able to

handle stress; b) Police commissioned officers are not advised to stay long in their

assigned positions as this may trigger stressors such as submission of compliance reports

and the time-pressured presentation in conferences; c) Senior police officers are

motivated to undergo routine annual executive health check-up to ensure that they are

healthy and fit to work without any worries especially when dealing with sensitive

decision-making tasks; d) Police officers should try to avoid using alcohol, nicotine and

caffeine as coping mechanisms in an attempt to ease the stress. The effects that these

substances have on the body will not help to reduce the symptoms but ultimately

contribute to them; e) Engaging in an all round healthier lifestyle is a good way to begin

reducing stress. A better diet and more exercise will improve the resilience of the body

and mind to stressful situations; f) Police Commissioned officers must avoid any
unnecessary conflict both at home and in the work environment. Rather than trying to

win unwinnable arguments, seek a solution that is amiable for both parties and move on

with your day; g) Department heads are encouraged to produce a written plan detailing

their efforts to manage workplace stress. This plan will show stressed officers that

improvements in their work environment are forthcoming; h) Police officers are

suggested to have a healthy life style by planning meals and making healthy eating

choices. And to STOP eating high-calorie fast food. Create a realistic exercise program

and forming healthy habits to get regular exercise; i) Police officers are humans too and

thus are entitled to schedule their vacations and personal downtime; j) Workload should

be shared in order to reduce the amount of overtime; k) Police officers must live within

their financial means so that “moonlighting” with a second job is not necessary; l) The

police officers are encouraged to have civilian friends to help them get away from the job

once in a while. This will minimize the pressure when they get to talk with people outside

of their line of work; m) And lastly, the most important thing for them is to recognize

when they feel stressed and work to identify what is causing it. Once stress is

acknowledged, officers can work to effectively manage it and not let it consume their

lives.