Study reveals high rates of psychological distress among Brazilian Federal Police

A study conducted by the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) indicates that nearly half of the Federal Police officers surveyed in Curitiba report significant psychological distress. The research, which investigated psychosocial work-related factors among 146 officers at the regional superintendency, found that 47.26% of participants reported poor sleep and 43.15% reported constant tension or nervousness.

The investigation also highlighted gender discrepancies, noting that female officers reported significantly higher levels of psychological suffering and demotivation. Researchers attributed these higher rates among women to the burden of double shifts and the historically masculinized environment within security forces.

Factors contributing to this mental health crisis include irregular working hours, exposure to high-risk situations, and constant pressure. The study, which resulted from a master's dissertation, emphasizes that the mental health of Federal Police officers remains less studied compared to military and civil police forces.