Occupational Stress and Work–Life Balance Among Police Officers: A Comparative Study of Selected Demographic Variables

This study examined the occupational stress and work–life balance of police officers assigned to the District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB) of the Southern Police District and determined whether significant differences existed when respondents were grouped according to age, sex, civil status, years in service, and rank/position. Guided by Role Theory and Work–Life Balance Theory, the study employed a descriptive–comparative research design. Using simple random sampling, 302 police officers participated in the study. Data were gathered through a demographic profile sheet, the Police Stress Questionnaire–Operational (PSQ-Op), and the Work–Life Balance Scale. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were used to determine the levels of occupational stress and work–life balance, while Welch’s Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized to test for significant differences across demographic groups at the .05 level of significance. Results revealed that occupational stress among respondents remained generally low across all demographic groups, with mean scores ranging from 2.15 to 2.90. Female officers reported significantly higher occupational stress (M = 2.59, SD = 1.16) than male officers (M = 2.28, SD = 1.04), with Welch’s ANOVA showing a statistically significant difference according to sex, F(1,125) = 4.62, p = .033. No significant differences in occupational stress were found according to age, civil status, years in service, and rank/position. In terms of work–life balance, respondents demonstrated consistently high levels, with mean scores ranging from 3.81 to 4.25. Although slight variations were observed across demographic groups, no statistically significant differences were identified in work–life balance according to age, sex, civil status, years in service, and rank/position. The findings suggest that police officers assigned to the DMFB are generally able to maintain manageable occupational stress and positive work–life balance despite the demanding nature of police work. The study contributes to the growing literature in police psychology by providing empirical evidence on the occupational well-being of officers in specialized police units within the Philippine context. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of strengthening stress management initiatives, employee wellness programs, and organizational support systems that promote psychological resilience and healthier work–life integration among police personnel. Based on the findings, the study proposed the POLICE CARE Program—Promoting Occupational Well-being, Improving Coping Efficiency, and Enhancing Resilience—to support the mental health and overall well-being of police officers.