Naslov
Mindfulness-based training and its effects on stress reduction and work engagement of Croatian police officers: A qualitative study

Autori
Bistrović, Vinko ; Bagarić, Željka ; Jandrić Nišević, Anita

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
EDULEARN21 Conference Proceedings / Gómez Chova, L. ; López Martínez, A. ; Candel Torres, I. - Valencia : International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED), 2021, 3460-3469

ISBN
978-84-09-31267-2

Skup
13th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (EDULEARN21)

Mjesto i datum
Valencia, Španjolska, 05.07.2021. - 06.07.2021

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Croatian police officers ; flow ; internal communication ; MBCT ; self-regulation

Sažetak
Applying mindfulness-based training in the workplace has shown multiple benefits in employee engaged in highly stressful occupations, such as policing. The aim of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of the Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) training in workplace on reducing the intensity of stress and achieving well-being in the professional life of Croatian police officers with reference to some dimensions of their work engagement. The objectives of the paper are to examine (by self-assessment) the effects of the MBCT training in reducing the intensity of operational and organizational stress, in the improvement of communication skills, and certain features of working performance of the police tasks. The empirical research was conducted on deliberate sample of first responders from The Seventh Police District in Zagreb, the participants of the first training cycle of “Mindfulness in the Croatian Police 2018” which took place between March and August of 2018. The research was carried out across two measuring points, immediately upon the MBCT training, (N=9) and 18 months later (N=3). A triangulation approach was used in the application of primary and secondary qualitative methods (non- participatory observation, semi-structured group interviews, inductive thematic analysis and critical analysis). The obtained results relating to both measurement points have proven to be in line with recent research into the organizational culture and internal communication of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia, and these point to the need of raising the level of quality communication of police officers at all levels in order to increase both personal gratification and their safety. In this context, the findings point to the following: a) an increased sense of participants’ quality of life relating to achievements ; b) the maintenance of their full awareness of the “here and now” and c) to their ability to recognize and selfregulate their patterns of behavior in stressful situations. Newly developed skills have impact on the reduction of both operational and organizational stress within the segment of vertical (ascending) and horizontal dimensions of internal communication as well as in public speaking situations. Positive experiences of one's own emotional empowerment are supported by exercising the MBCT method (even with low- intensity), and it is strongly recommended to other police officers as well as to the other first responders. However, seeing that the results did not reveal change in the quality and the level of motivation for work of the participants in this sample, nor did it reflect on their enthusiasm, energy, and focus, it seems that the MBCT training fails to deliver any real impact on the improvement of work engagement. Seeing the global scarcity of qualitative research into the relations between the topic of mindfulness and the state of flow as dimension of police officers’ work engagement, it can be said that the results expand insights into this problem and can be used as a basis for future, more complex research.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Informacijske i komunikacijske znanosti

Napomena
Rad je nastao na temelju diplomskog rada Vinka
Bistrovića br. 168/0J/2020 pod nazivom "Dobra
praksa angažiranosti zaposlenika: Primjena MBCT
metode u hrvatskoj policiji", obranjenog na
Sveučilištu Sjever u Varaždinu u rujnu 2020.
godine.

POVEZANOST RADA