What does PSQ mean in POLICE

The Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) is a widely used tool to measure occupational stress specifically experienced by police officers. It assesses various aspects of stress, such as organizational stressors, job demands, and personal life stressors.

The PSQ was developed by Dr. Alexander Cooper and his colleagues in 1989.

The PSQ is typically administered as a self-report survey, where officers are asked to rate the frequency or severity of different stress-related experiences.

The PSQ consists of three main subscales:

1. Organizational Stressors: Measures stress related to work organization, such as shift work, workload, and lack of control.
2. Job Demands: Assesses stressors related to job duties, such as exposure to danger and time pressure.
3. Personal Life Stressors: Evaluates stressors outside of work, such as financial problems and relationship issues.

The PSQ is scored by assigning points to each item based on the officer's ratings. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress.

The PSQ provides valuable insights into the occupational stress experienced by police officers, enabling organizations to:

1. Identify potential sources of stress and develop interventions to mitigate them.
2. Assess the effectiveness of stress management programs.
3. Screen for officers at risk of burnout or other stress-related issues.

While the PSQ is a widely used tool, it is important to note that:

1. It relies on self-reporting, which may be subject to biases or underreporting.
2. It may not capture all aspects of occupational stress relevant to all police officers.
3. It is specific to police officers and may not be suitable for other populations.