Publication: Stressors Influencing Homicide-Suicide Among National Police Service Officers In Njoro Sub County, Nakuru County, Kenya
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2024-02-21
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International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications
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Abstract
This research explored Homicide-Suicide (H-S) among
Kenya National Police Service (KNPS) officers, with a focus on
Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service
(APS), and Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Despite a
rise in incidents, research on this phenomenon was scarce in
Kenya. The study investigated occupational, organizational,
personal, and economic factors influencing H-S, drawing from
Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory and Durkheim's Theory of
Suicides. Using a mixed-method design, 328 KNPS officers,
including KPS, APS, and DCI, participated, alongside key
stakeholders. Data collection included questionnaires and
interviews, resulting in a response rate of 75.6%, with 136
completed questionnaires. In the analysis of personal stressors, the
study scrutinized mental health conditions, traumatic events, and
relationship issues. Participants experienced mental health
symptoms due to personal stressors, impacting well-being.
Limited professional help-seeking was noted, possibly due to
stigma. Dissatisfaction with organizational support was observed.
Traumatic event exposure affected mental well-being, with
organizational support playing a role. Coping with relationship
problems was complex. The analysis of occupational stressors
focused on critical incidents, workload, and job-related pressure.
Many officers encountered critical incidents, impacting wellbeing. Organizational support for coping was perceived as
insufficient. High workload affected stress levels, with
management challenges. Job-related pressure influenced wellbeing and support perceptions. In the examination of
organizational stressors, the study explored support from
superiors, resource availability, and leadership effectiveness.
Unsupportive superiors hindered communication, while resource
availability was associated with mental well-being. Leadership
effectiveness varied, impacting experiences. The analysis of
economic stressors explored salary satisfaction, financial strain,
and career advancement. Dissatisfaction with compensation led to
financial difficulties and stress. Financial strain negatively
impacted stress levels. Job stability and career advancement had
varying effects. Findings highlighted the multifaceted challenges
faced by Kenyan police officers, aligning with literature.
Recommendations included addressing mental health stigma,
enhancing organizational support, promoting work-life balance,
providing coping strategies, fostering empathetic leadership,
ensuring resource availability, addressing compensation concerns and creating supportive work environments. The outcomes
contributed to H-S literature, guiding policy-making for agency
relevance, ultimately enhancing officers' well-being in Njoro Sub
County, Nakuru County.
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Keywords
Police Well-being, Homicide-Suicide Dynamics, Organizational Support, Kenyan Law Enforcement