Becoming a police officer: Influential psychological factors

摘要

Objective To analyse the existing relationships between motivation, self-concept and family and social influence when choosing the profession of police officer.Methods Cross-sectional descriptive study, through intentional sampling, carried out using a protocol for collecting information from different socio-demographic variables, the Motivation scale and the Self-concept Form-5 questionnaire. The sample consisted of 258 local police officers from the Public Security School of Andalusia (Spain).Results The results showed an association between the influence of family and social environment and the different motivations (achievement, affiliation and power). On the other hand, between these motivations and the different dimensions of self-concept (working, social, emotional, family and physical).Conclusions The prevalence of motivation can be observed. Professional motivation, self-concept and family influence are relevant variables in relation to professional choice, efficacy and productivity in professional performance. In fact, a higher degree of family self-concept promotes power motivation to face life changes.