Coping strategies, hierarchy of values, perceived stress and satisfaction with life in the group of uniformed personnel treated in mental health clinic

Uniformed personnel forms a unique occupational group involving specific tensions in the working environment. The current study evaluates the levels of perceived stress, coping strategies, satisfaction with life and hierarchy of values in the group of 183 uniformed personnel members treated in a mental health clinic and diagnosed with bodily distress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. The proportion of participants with elevated level of perceived stress was high. Emotion-oriented coping was the most used approach. Successful family life and good health were particularly valuable for participants. Satisfaction with life was not significantly lower than in the general population. The profile of stress, coping and the values can form a preliminary basis for approaching this specific group of patients when in treatment.