The role of personal and social resources in preventing adverse health outcomes in employees of uniformed professions.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of experienced job stress and personal and social resources (e.g., sense of coherence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, dispositional optimism and social support) on health outcomes in employees of uniformed professions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 330 men representing uniformed professions (70 policemen, 70 firefighters, 60 prison officers, 70 security guards and 60 city guards) participated in the study. The mean age was 33.99 (SD = 6.44). The Perceived Job Stress Questionnaire, the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-29), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, the Life Orientation Test, the Social Support Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used in the study. RESULTS: The results of the study confirmed a significant role of personal and social resources and perceived social support in particular in reducing job stress and preventing negative health outcomes in the study group of workers of uniformed professions. CONCLUSION: Enhancing personal and social resources should be considered in preventive programs aimed at reducing stress in the workplace and protecting health of workers of uniformed professions.