| dc.description.abstract | Due to various psychosocial factors some police officers develop suicidal thoughts and
eventually commit suicide. A high rate of suicides by police officers persists in the
National Police Service in recent years. This study therefore sought to examine the
influence of psychosocial factors on suicidal ideations among police officers in Nyeri
Central Sub-county, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the influence
of work environment on suicidal ideation, examine the influence of job control on
suicidal ideation, analyse the influence of social support on suicidal ideation, assess the
influence of coping style on suicidal ideation and establish the influence of depression
on suicidal ideation. In this study, A mixed methods design was used. A total of 492
police officers working in Nyeri Central Sub County comprised the target population. A
sample size of 221 respondents was used. To collect data, a structured self-administered
questionnaire, a focus group discussion and an interview schedule were used to collect
data from police officers, mental health workers and senior police officers respectively.
In order to determine the reliability and validity of the instruments used in this research,
a pilot test was conducted in Kirinyaga Central Sub County. Using SPSS v. 26 the
collected data was encoded and input into a computer. Data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation.
Utilizing inferential statistics such as chi-square and regression analysis, correlations
between variables was determined. To analyze qualitative data content analysis using
NVIVO software was used. Results of quantitative analysis were presented in form
tables and figures including pie-charts and bar graphs while narration was used to
present results of qualitative analysis. To analyze qualitative data content analysis was
used and results were presented in form of narratives. Majority 167 (78.4%) of the
respondents did not have suicidal ideation. The study found that 162 (76.1%) of the
respondents indicated that their working environment was poor. Similarly, 169 (79.3%)
of the respondents had no job control. The results of the study showed that 174 (81.6%)
of the respondents had social support. It was found that 147 (69%) of the respondents
had adaptive coping style. Majority 144(67.6%) of the respondents in the study had no
depressive symptoms. Work environment (p=0.000), social support (p=0.011) and
depression (p=0.000) were significant in the chi-square analysis. Work environment
(p=0.000) was also significant in the regression analysis. The study concluded that work
environment is the most influencing factor of suicidal ideation among police officers.
Others included low social support and depression. It was recommended that the
National Police Service ought to enhance the police officers working environment so as
to reduce suicidal ideation and suicide. It was also recommended that senior officers
should be encouraged to talk to junior officers even in matters outside work so as to
cultivate a sense of support in the police force. The results of this study are important to
police officers, their employer, psychologists and policy makers. | en_US |
