RELATIONSHIPS OF DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS, STRESS, RESILIENCE AND SOCIAL SUPPORT TO MENTAL HEALTH IN THAI TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS

Abstract

                Objective: This descriptive correlational research design aimed to investigate the relationships of demographic factors, stress, resilience and social support to mental health in Thai traffic police officers.

                Methods: The study sample consisted of 117 traffic police officers working in the Traffic Police Division under the supervision of Royal Thai Police. The sample selection was done by purposive sampling according to inclusion criteria. The research instruments were 5 parts including; Demographic data questionnaire, The Thai Mental Health Questionnaire (TMHQ), Perceived Stress Scale, Resilience Inventory, and The Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ-Part 2). Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, Pearson’s product moment correlation, Spearman’s rank correlation and point - biserial correlation.

                Results: The findings revealed that financial status, stress, resilience and social support were significantly related to mental health (r_pb = -.30, r_s = .64; r_s = -.52, r = -.65, p < .001 respectively). However, age, duration of operation as traffic police officers and ranks were not significantly related to mental health (r_s = -.12, r_s = -.02, r_pb = -.16, p > .05 respectively).

                Conclusion: The research results can be used as basic information to enhance mental health in traffic police officers.