Presentation Information
[P-10-02]Gender Differences in The Concept of Mental Health of Indonesia’s Police Officers
*Canalya Amira Azhar, Sherly Saragih Turnip, Fitri Fausiah (Universitas Indonesia(Indonesia))
Keywords:
police,women police officer,mental health,gender differences,Indonesia
Background
A report by the World Economic Forum (2024) showed that gender equality in the workforce declined from last year. Its impact is more prominent in male-dominated fields, such as law enforcement and police officers. To date, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has advanced its gender mainstreaming policies. Yet, women are still underrepresented, presenting additional challenges and adversely affecting police women officers' mental health. This study aims to assess the differences in perception of mental health among male and female police officers In Indonesia.
Method
To investigate the mental health characteristics pertinent to police officers’ line of work, we developed an instrument using the biopsychosocial framework of health. Through literature reviews and focus group discussions, we identified fifteen key characteristics. These characteristics were paired to form 115 items, including 10 items for consistency checks. Participants were asked to endorse characteristics they perceived appropriate to their context of work. The surveys underwent readability testing before being distributed to Indonesian police officers in 34 provinces. Descriptive statistics analysis was used to analyze the data from surveys.
Results
504 (20.72%) women and 1.928 (79.28%) men participated in this study. The descriptive statistics analysis indicates that all police officers recognize "Compliance to norms and rules" as a vital component of mental health, followed by social characteristics all in the similar manner. There was only a slight variation observed in how certain psychological traits are perceived by gender. Men prioritize anger management over anxiety and depression, ranking it 7th and 9th respectively, whereas women reverse this order, ranking anxiety and depression 7th and anger management 8th. Variations on other aspects and gender differences based on rank, region, and function are also presented in this study.
Discussion
There was only a slight difference in women police officers’ perspective on mental health which may reflect their experience in policing compared to their male counterparts. However, taking account of these differences could help us create a suitable action to promote mental health.
A report by the World Economic Forum (2024) showed that gender equality in the workforce declined from last year. Its impact is more prominent in male-dominated fields, such as law enforcement and police officers. To date, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has advanced its gender mainstreaming policies. Yet, women are still underrepresented, presenting additional challenges and adversely affecting police women officers' mental health. This study aims to assess the differences in perception of mental health among male and female police officers In Indonesia.
Method
To investigate the mental health characteristics pertinent to police officers’ line of work, we developed an instrument using the biopsychosocial framework of health. Through literature reviews and focus group discussions, we identified fifteen key characteristics. These characteristics were paired to form 115 items, including 10 items for consistency checks. Participants were asked to endorse characteristics they perceived appropriate to their context of work. The surveys underwent readability testing before being distributed to Indonesian police officers in 34 provinces. Descriptive statistics analysis was used to analyze the data from surveys.
Results
504 (20.72%) women and 1.928 (79.28%) men participated in this study. The descriptive statistics analysis indicates that all police officers recognize "Compliance to norms and rules" as a vital component of mental health, followed by social characteristics all in the similar manner. There was only a slight variation observed in how certain psychological traits are perceived by gender. Men prioritize anger management over anxiety and depression, ranking it 7th and 9th respectively, whereas women reverse this order, ranking anxiety and depression 7th and anger management 8th. Variations on other aspects and gender differences based on rank, region, and function are also presented in this study.
Discussion
There was only a slight difference in women police officers’ perspective on mental health which may reflect their experience in policing compared to their male counterparts. However, taking account of these differences could help us create a suitable action to promote mental health.