Surviving the Shift: Rural Police Stress and Counseling Services

Stress and coping research usually neglects the rural officer. This study investigated police stress among rural law enforcement in the State of Oklahoma. Participants ( N = 85) completed measures pertaining to police-related stress, general stress, and sources of social support. Social support from various sources were related to lower levels of overall life stress, but only support from friends was related to police stress. Support from friends and organizational-related aspects of police stress were the strongest predictors of general life stress in police officers. In addition, officers provided responses to knowledge about counseling resources available in their area. Results may be useful for counseling practitioners and provide support for peer-counseling services for rural officers.