Association between police work stress and life satisfaction: the chain mediating roles of perceived social support and sleep disturbances
Abstract
Objective Policing is characterized by persistent and pervasive stressors that systematically undermine officers’ overall life evaluations and well-being. Although studies have confirmed a direct link between police work stress and life satisfaction, the sequential pathways through which perceived social support and sleep impairment operate in this relationship remain significantly underexplored. This study investigates the direct relationship between police work stress and life satisfaction, and the independent and chained mediating effects of perceived social support and sleep disturbances, among Chinese active-duty police officers. Methods Through a cross-sectional survey, we collected data from 803 frontline police in southeast China using four standardized scales: the Police Stress Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Statistical software (SPSS version 26.0 and AMOS version 26.0) was used for correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and bootstrap mediation analysis. Demographic covariates were controlled to verify model robustness. Results All variables showed significant correlations (p < 0.001). Police work stress directly and negatively predicted life satisfaction (B = −0.167, p = 0.001), and perceived social support and sleep disturbances separately mediated the focal association. A significant serial chained path was validated: police work stress → perceived social support → sleep disturbances → life satisfaction (B = −0.015, p = 0.003). All pathways remained stable after covariate adjustment. Conclusion There are significant associations between police work stress and police life satisfaction through direct, single-mediating, and serial chained correlational pathways. Police work stress is correlated with lower perceived social support, poorer sleep quality, and reduced life satisfaction among officers. Police departments should use integrated interventions to strengthen multi-level social support and its utilization, and provide sleep health programs to improve officers’ life satisfaction.