Stress experiences of women in policing: A scoping review

Abstract

Policewomen can be significantly impacted by stress, resulting in mental health challenges. Although numerous studies have explored experiences among women in policing, few have focused on the stress that can accompany these experiences and their impacts. We conducted a scoping review of stress among policewomen to explore and summarize the current breadth of research in this area and identify potential knowledge gaps and opportunities for further study. Ten databases were searched to identify relevant literature. Manual searches of reference lists and book chapters were also completed. Twenty-five peer-reviewed articles, one book chapter, one thesis, and one dissertation were included in the current review. An inductive thematic analysis was completed, and six categories relating to policewomen's workplace stress experiences and their impacts were identified. The categories included gendered institutions, gender identity and gendered roles in policing, sexual harassment and discriminatory experiences, organizational relationships between gender, career progression and promotion, policewomen and parenting, organizational change, and stressors and associated health effects for women police officers. Although the experiences were thoroughly described, their connection to stress and the effects on mental health were not. Robust research into the overall impacts of workplace stress on policewomen's mental health is needed, including exploring generative mechanisms capable of producing the stress experiences and resulting mental health challenges to develop appropriate policies, practices, and interventions.