摘要：Pandemic intensified the number of stressors among police officers. Diminished time-off, overwork, and public scrutiny have been associated with an increased risk of burnout. Furthermore, the risk of SARS-COV2 (COVID-19) infection is an additional threat that endangers officers’ health. To understand if fear of COVID and the factors that are associated with this fear will impact burnout, we tested the mediating effect of operational stressors on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and burnout, specifically on cognitive fatigue. Method: Participants were 160 police officers aged between 23 and 58 years old (M = 40.81; SD = 6.83) who filled the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Operational Police Stress Questionnaire, and Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Results showed that 20% of these professionals reported cognitive fatigue problems and 87% reported moderate or high operational stress. The direct effect of fear of COVID-19 on cognitive fatigue was β = 0.08, 95% CI [.038, .119], t = 6.69, p < .001 but when the mediation of operational stressors is included, the direct predictive effect of fear of COVID-19 on cognitive fatigue decreases (β = 0.044, 95% CI [.361, .664], t = 6.69, p < .001) which corresponds to a partial mediation. Conclusions: The constant amendments and uncertainty associated with fear of COVID-19 increased cognitive fatigue for these workers. Individually this is associated with worse mental health, causing difficulties in reasoning, concentration, and decision-making. At the work level, it may affect performance and precipitate inappropriate interactions such as the use of excessive force, which may put themselves, peers, and communities at risk.
