Date

2-13-2026

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Davies Sasere

Keywords

organizational stress, law enforcement, mental health, leadership, chronic stress

Disciplines

Leadership Studies

Abstract

This quantitative study aimed to identify the specific actions of supervisors that contribute to chronic stress among law enforcement officers in Nevada. Chronic stress is a common issue in law enforcement and can have detrimental effects on officers’ mental and physical well-being. Despite the acknowledgement of supervisors' actions as a significant stressor for officers, there is a lack of research specifically addressing the actions that officers perceive as most stress-inducing, particularly in Nevada. This research gap hinders efforts to address and alleviate these stressors, allowing them to persist and impact officers' well-being. To address this gap, a Likert-scale survey was administered to 100 law enforcement officers in Nevada, listing 27 stressors identified in previous research, as well as additional stressors gathered from discussions with law enforcement professionals. Utilizing univariate and frequency analyses, the researcher will determine the median (M), standard deviation (SD), and percentage of selection for each stressor, identifying the most commonly reported stressors, and recognizing patterns and trends in the data. A deeper understanding is essential for tackling the issue of chronic stress in law enforcement personnel, as it significantly affects their mental and physical health, job effectiveness, and personal relationships. By identifying and addressing the underlying reasons for stress originating from supervisory behavior, interventions and tactics aimed at alleviating stress within law enforcement organizations can be developed to greatly enhance the overall well-being and performance of officers, their families, departments, and the communities they serve.

Download

Share

COinS