Features of coping behavior in stress situation of law enforcement officers

Abstract

This article examines coping behavior and psychological defense mechanisms among law enforcement officers under conditions of chronic occupational stress. The relevance of the study is determined by the extreme nature of police work, continuous psychoemotional strain, high levels of professional responsibility, and the impact of socioeconomic disruptions associated with martial law. Under such conditions, the effectiveness of professional functioning largely depends on the development of adaptive coping strategies and the structure of psychological defense mechanisms. The purpose of the study is to analyze the coping behavior and psychological defense of police officers from different units with different lengths of service. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying department-specific patterns of coping behavior among law enforcement officers, taking into account professional experience, as well as in analyzing the dynamics of the balance between adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies under prolonged occupational stress. The findings indicate that criminal police officers are more likely to employ avoidance- and emotion-oriented coping strategies, whereas patrol police officers and personnel support staff predominantly rely on problem-focused coping. Rationalization, denial, and projection prevail in the structure of psychological defense mechanisms. With increasing length of service, the use of avoidance strategies decreases, while orientation toward constructive coping strategies increases. The results substantiate the need for differentiated psychological support programs and targeted