Psychosocial Factors in the Development of Anxiety in the Ghana Police Service: A Case Study of Nima Divisional Command.

Abstract

This study investigated the psychosocial factors contributing to anxiety among the police in Ghana Police Service. The purpose was to determine, identify and describe psychological and social factors responsible for anxiety among the police. One hundred and seventy police officers were conveniently selected from four police stations, namely, Nima, Legon, Airport and Kotobabi police stations respectively to participate in the study. A questionnaire was administered to gather relevant information for the study. The questionnaire consisted of a self designed section and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Findings revealed that age and tenure of office impacted significantly on officers’ level of anxiety. Younger officers and those who served more years in the service reported lower level of anxiety. It was also found that officers who experienced anxiety in their childhood reported more anxiety than those who did not whiles female police officers also reported more anxiety than their male counterparts. Police officers between the ranks ASP to IGP experienced more anxiety than those between constables to inspector ranks. These findings imply that anxiety among police officers is real and is impacted by some psychological and social factors. It was recommended that measures are put in place to reduce the level of anxiety among the police.