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The Level of Fear in the Polish Police Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic with the Impact of Sociodemographic Variables

Author

Listed:
  • Barbara Szykuła-Piec

    (Faculty of Safety Engineering and Civil Protection, The Main School of Fire Service, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Robert Piec

    (Faculty of Safety Engineering and Civil Protection, The Main School of Fire Service, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Artur Zaczyński

    (Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Rafał Wójtowicz

    (Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department, Solec Hospital, 00-382 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Sławomir Butkiewicz

    (Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Ewa Rusyan

    (Department of Conservative Dentistry, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Kamil Adamczyk

    (Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Irena Walecka

    (Department of Dermatology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Anna Dmochowska

    (Faculty of Safety Engineering and Civil Protection, The Main School of Fire Service, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska

    (Faculty of Safety Engineering and Civil Protection, The Main School of Fire Service, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

This study has a twofold objective. First, we aim to measure the levels of fear among Polish police officers using the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) that has a stable unidimensional structure allowing for the provision of additional data by combining variables. This structure allows the second objective to be met to measure the correlation with sociodemographic variables. The utilitarian objective of the study is to provide information for updating support policies for stress management in the service. The questionnaire was completed by 1862 people with a mean age of 38.75 years with a good Cronbach’s alpha (0.89). The perceived level of fear associated with COVID-19 should be considered relatively low. Caring for the elderly does not affect the level of fear. The factors of gender, age and having children statistically significantly differentiate the perceptions of fear. Therefore, there is a necessity to focus on building support for police officers who are over 50 years old, as well as for women, where higher levels of fear in both men and women can translate into the development of psychosomatic illnesses.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Szykuła-Piec & Robert Piec & Artur Zaczyński & Rafał Wójtowicz & Sławomir Butkiewicz & Ewa Rusyan & Kamil Adamczyk & Irena Walecka & Anna Dmochowska & Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska, 2022. "The Level of Fear in the Polish Police Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic with the Impact of Sociodemographic Variables," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9679-:d:881483
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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