Gender Psychological Characteristics of Police Officers with Nicotine Addiction
Abstract
Abstract. The study focuses on the analysis of gender-related psychological characteristics of police officers with nicotine addiction. Nicotine dependence among law enforcement personnel is a significant medical and psychological issue that affects the efficiency of professional activity and occupational reliability. Special attention is given to the examination of gender differences in the manifestations of police officers with nicotine dependence, determined by variations in stress-coping strategies, motivational attitudes, and psycho-emotional reactions. The purpose of the article is to conduct an empirical study of the gender and psychological characteristics of the National Police of Ukraine officers who are dependent on tobacco smoking. The methodological basis includes the principle of determinism as well as systemic and acmeological approaches. The study examines the distinction between the concepts of "sex" and "gender," the presence of gender stereotypes, the tendency toward aggressiveness, and the characteristics of psychological defense mechanisms. The empirical study (n=99) revealed that 63.3% of respondents exhibit masculine traits, while the rest display feminine ones; gender does not always coincide with biological sex. Female officers with nicotine addiction demonstrate stereotypes more frequently than male officers. Masculine police officers are characterized by higher aggressiveness and hostility, while feminine ones show a stronger sense of guilt. The most typical psychological defense mechanisms include denial, projection, compensation, and rationalization; rationalization and projection prevail among masculine individuals, while regression is more characteristic of feminine ones. Correlational links were established between the level of aggressiveness, defense mechanisms, and gender characteristics of police officers. The obtained results have practical value for developing differentiated psychological support and addiction prevention programs, as well as for improving the system of psychological assistance in the National Police of Ukraine.
Keywords: police officer; biological sex; gender; nicotine addiction; gender stereotype; aggressiveness; psychological defense.
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