MENTAL WELL-BEING INFLUENCING DAILY DUTY PERFORMANCE AMONG POLICE PERSONNEL IN KOTTAYAM

Abstract

This study examined police personnel’s self-assessed mental well-being, working conditions, duty performance, and support needs in Kottayam, Kerala. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 28 to 30 August 2026 among 61 police personnel using convenience sampling. The questionnaire included 15 five-point Likert-scale items and one open-ended question. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Overall well-being was moderate (M = 3.33, SD = 0.80; scale: 1–5). Social resources were relatively strong, with 67.2% reporting support from colleagues and superiors and 55.7% maintaining relationships with family and friends. However, only 19.7% agreed that their workload allowed adequate rest, and 23.0% reported departmental support for psychological well-being. Administrative pressure and public scrutiny were reported as stressors by 76.7% of respondents. Although 72.1% were satisfied with their duty performance, 58.3% reported that stress and fatigue had recently affected it. Duty performance was positively associated with well-being (ρ = .34, p = .010) and working conditions (ρ = .28, p = .032).

Among 53 substantive open-ended responses, the most frequent requests were fixed duty hours (37.7%), weekly rest and leave (35.8%), additional personnel (28.3%), and emotional and moral support (24.5%). Interpreted through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the findings indicate gaps in basic needs, particularly rest and security, despite relatively strong social support. The study highlights the importance of improved duty rosters, staffing, supervisory support, and mental health services. Findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small, non-random sample.