Critical Incident Stress Management and Job Satisfaction among National Police Service Officers

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the moderating effect of employee wellbeing on the relationship between critical incident stress management and job satisfaction among the same officers. The study was guided by Two Factor Theory of Motivation. An explanatory research design was employed to explain the cause-effect relationship between the variables. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used to collect data from a sample size of 328 respondents derived from Yamane’s formula, with a target population being 1297 police officers using a structured, closed ended questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted in national police service in Nandi County to ascertain validity and reliability of the research instruments. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics were frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Inferential analysis was carried out through correlation to ascertain the relationships between variables and regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The study findings revealed that critical incident stress management (β1=0.185, p=0.000) had a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction among national police service officers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. In addition, results indicated that employee wellbeing moderates the relationship between critical incident stress management (β5= -0.067, p=0.000, R2=.511, ΔR2=.016) and job satisfaction among the national police service officers. The study recommended that the National Police Service (NPS) should enhance mental health services to improve officers' job satisfaction.