Occupational Stress in Police Officers of the El Carmen Police Delegation in Costa Rica: A Psychoeducational Proposal for Psychological First Aid

Abstract

The study developed a psychoeducational guide for Psychological First Aid for police officers at the Delegation el Carmen in Costa Rica, focusing on managing occupational stress. Using a quantitative and descriptive methodology, a closed-ended questionnaire revealed that 100% of the surveyed police officers recognize the relationship between occupational stress and their duties. The analysis showed that stress is significantly associated with being male, holding the position of Agent I, and having five years of service at the delegation. The findings indicated that occupational stress affects police officers mental health, family relationships, job performance, and overall well-being. Based on these results and a literature review, a psychoeducational guide was created and validated to assist in managing occupational stress within this population.