Abstract
PurposeSustainable employability is an important goal for individuals and organizations alike. However, scarce knowledge is available on possible cross-lagged relations of resilience among police officers and different aspects of their sustainable employability over time. Based on assumptions of COR theory, the purpose of this paper is to test these relations in a two-wave design.Design/methodology/approachA total of 532 police officers participated in a time-lagged survey design (time interval of six months) concerning their resilience and relevant aspects, i.e., self-reported vitality, workability and organization-reported individual absenteeism rates. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling.FindingsResults indicate cross-lagged effects between resilience and vitality with an acceptable model fit. Thus, the level of resilience at T1 affected the level of vitality at T2 and vice versa. In addition, a nearly significant negative effect of vitality on T1 was found on absenteeism on T2.Research limitations/implicationsMore measurements over time are needed to test reciprocal relations and possible gain spirals. Different samples are needed to assess generalizability. Cross-lagged effects may indicate a reciprocal relation between resilience and vitality that can be further facilitated.Practical implicationsFor example, resilience can be addressed explicitly in training.Originality/valueThis study is the first to test the cross-lagged relations between resilience and indicators of sustainable employability among police officers. It is important to further study this for the sake of both police officers, as well as society as a whole.
Highlights
Introduction and contributionResilience and sustainable employability are of key importance for police officers
Sustainable employability can be measured in different ways and by different concepts, for the purpose of this study we focus on vitality and workability aspects, as well as a more objective indication of health aspects, namely absenteeism
Conclusion This study aimed at identifying possible cross-lagged effects of resilience as a personal resource at work, and outcomes of sustainable employability
Summary
Resilience and sustainable employability are of key importance for police officers. Police officers face a high work load, high pressure and emotional contacts with civilians ( Juniper et al, 2010). The high work load, emotional client contacts, and long/irregular working hours can hamper police officers’ health, workability and vitality Andersen et al, 2015) and thereby the continuation of their work “in the line of duty.”. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
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