Protecting our Protectors: Mindfulness and SelfCompassion as Protective Forces Against the Effects of Occupational Stress
E. Gervais, Harper Chaisson
Applied police briefings : October 20, 2026 DOI: 10.22215/apb.v3i4.6251 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Police officers |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Indicates that the non-judgemental facet of mindfulness may protect police officers against anxiety symptoms associated with occupational and organizational stress. The authors frame this as filling a gap in research on how the full range of mindfulness components and self-compassion influence the stress–mental health relationship. |
Abstract
The study described in the source article was conducted to fill a gap in existing research, which has not explored how the full range of mindfulness components influence the relationship between occupational and organizational stress and mental health symptoms, or how self-compassion influences this relationship. This research shows that one facet of mindfulness – being non-judgemental about one’s current thoughts, emotions, and experiences – might be able to protect police officers against anxiety symptoms they may experience during their work.