Thesis:

Psychological factors influencing work performance among police officers based at police headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological factors and work performance of Administration Police Officers stationed at the Nairobi Police Headquarters, Kenya. The objectives included assessing the impact of stress, anger, and sleep deprivation on job performance. The study used descriptive research design. The study adopted foundational theories which are Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the Cognitive Activation Theory of Stress to frame the analysis of psychological distress on occupational efficacy. The study used a sample size of 200 police officers selected through stratified proportionate random sampling from a target population of 400 police officers. Data was primarily collected through structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses, including percentages and Pearson correlation tests, were conducted to determine the relationships among the variables, facilitating an understanding of psychological factors influencing performance. Results revealed significant psychological burdens among officers, with 84.5% responding to the study highlighting the prevalence of work-related stress, expressed anger, and sleep deprivation. Specifically, over 50% reported high stress levels linked to excessive workloads and long hours. Correlational analysis indicated a weak positive association between stress and work performance (r = .164, p < .05), suggesting that while some stress may enhance performance, excessive stress typically detracts from effectiveness. Moreover, anger significantly impacted on job satisfaction and turnover, as 61% of officers indicated feelings of anger toward uncooperative colleagues. This was further affirmed by a positive correlation between anger levels and performance (r = .247, p < .01). Sleep deprivation was notably detrimental, correlating with reduced work performance (r = .368, p < .01), as 50% acknowledged inadequate sleep significantly hindered performance. The implications of these findings underline the urgent need for strategic interventions within the national police force. Recommendations include implementing comprehensive wellness programs targeting stress management and anger regulation, revising workload distribution policies, enhancing communication strategies, and addressing sleep quality through organizational adjustments.