Date of Conferral

11-20-2025

Date of Award

November 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Tracy Marsh

Abstract

This quantitative study was conducted to investigate the relationship between crisis call responding and job satisfaction among police officers and whether gender moderates this relationship. With crisis helpline calls rising over the past decade, officers face increasing emotional labor demands, particularly female officers in male-dominated environments. While past research has explored stress and gender differences in law enforcement, few studies have examined their interaction. Using the job demands-resources model and gender role congruity theory, this study employed a correlational design with simple linear regression and Hayes’ PROCESS macro to test moderation effects. Participants included 78 police officers from central Texas recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected via an online survey using Spector’s Job Satisfaction Survey. Results showed that crisis call frequency did not significantly predict job satisfaction, nor did gender significantly moderate the relationship. These findings suggest that neither variable independently nor interactively influenced officers’ job satisfaction levels. A modest satisfaction advantage among female officers suggests that equity-focused practices, such as mentoring and flexible scheduling, may yield morale benefits. These findings can be used to encourage law enforcement leaders to prioritize resource sufficiency and inclusive leadership as strategies to improve officer well-being. They also challenge assumptions that gender equity and operational efficiency are at odds. The study highlights the need for future research into other contextual or psychological variables influencing job satisfaction, providing direction for more nuanced, data-informed approaches to police workforce support and sustainability.

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