Patterns of self-reported occupational stress experienced by Lithuanian police officers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Occupational stress among police officers has been widely studied internationally, yet little is known about how stressors manifest in smaller, post-transition European contexts such as Lithuania. The study aimed to identify key occupational stressors among Lithuanian police officers and to examine how stress patterns differ by gender, job position, and years of service, using a multidimensional framework of organizational and interpersonal factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024–2025 among 381 police officers from five randomly selected Lithuanian police stations. Participants completed the validated Lithuanian version of the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool (HSE-MSIT). Seven domains of occupational stress were analyzed: job demands, managerial and peer support, relationships, organizational change, work control, and role clarity. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U test, univariate ANOVA, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with multi-group invariance testing. Results: The CFA supported a second-order structure of job stress, although model fit indices showed moderate adequacy (CFI = 0.768, TLI = 0.751). Managerial support, change at work, and peer support were the strongest contributors to the overall stress construct. While gender-related differences were minimal, officers with longer tenure reported lower job demands and greater role clarity. Junior officers expressed a more positive perception of feedback from managers and organizational changes. Measurement invariance tests revealed some item-level non-invariance, suggesting that group comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions: Occupational stress among Lithuanian police officers is primarily shaped by organizational rather than individual factors. Enhancing managerial competence, communication transparency, and peer-support mechanisms could substantially improve officers’ psychological well-being and resilience within law enforcement institutions.