DEBT LEVELS AND OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AMONG POLICE PERSONNEL IN KERALA: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

This study investigates the relationship between personal debt levels and occupational stress among police personnel in the Central Zone of Kerala, India. Policing is inherently a high-stress occupation, but financial burdens such as personal loans and rising debt have become increasingly significant stressors. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 467 respondents representing various ranks from civil police officers to Deputy Suprendinent of police within the Kerala Police. Occupational stress was measured using the standardized Occupational Stress Index (OSI), while debt levels were assessed based on self-reported monthly liabilities as a percentage of income. Descriptive statistics revealed that nearly 89% of the respondents carried some form of debt, with a majority experiencing moderate to high levels of stress. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between debt level and stress (r = 0.612, p < 0.01), and regression analysis confirmed that debt is a significant predictor of occupational stress, accounting for 37.4% of the variance (R² = 0.374). The findings underscore the urgent need for financial counseling, institutional credit schemes, and mental health support services within the police force. This study contributes to the growing discourse on financial wellness and psychological health in law enforcement and offers practical recommendations for enhancing the welfare and efficiency of police personnel.