Risk and protective factors for the development of stress in the Federal Highway Police

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to identify the risk and protective factors for the development of stress in a random and stratified sample of Brazilian federal highway police officers in the state of São Paulo (N = 202). Method The instruments used were a General Questionnaire (sociodemographic and occupational variables) and Lipp’s Stress Symptom Inventory for Adults. The prevalence ratio was used as a measure of association and the independent variables were organized into 8 models and inserted into a logistic regression model. Results A stress prevalence of 43.1% (95% CI = 36.2–50.0) was found, with most of the sample in the resistance phase (82.7%). The factors related to stress were leisure, educational level, degree of job satisfaction, low remuneration, suicidal ideations, insomnia, lack of training, and work-family conflict. Conclusion The results can influence actions aimed at controlling stress.