Subjective Well-Being: Assessing the Stress, Job, and Life Satisfaction of Police Leaders

The purpose of this study is to explore police leaders’ subjective well-being using the concepts of job stress, job satisfaction, and life satisfaction. The study evaluates how stress relates to the leaders’ job satisfaction and, ultimately, to their life satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional survey from 857 police leaders, the study utilizes structural equation modeling to test several hypotheses. The results indicate that role demands, work-family-conflict, and stress exposure tend to reduce life satisfaction, both directly and through job stress and satisfaction. Leaders experiencing factors that contribute to organizational stress and diminish aspects of their well-being experience increased job stress and decreased job satisfaction, both of which reduce life satisfaction. This study provides insights into the subjective well-being of police leaders and underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy, resilient workforce in policing.