Occupational identity, competence dimensions, and psychological well-being among Chinese public security personnel: a cross-sectional path analysis

Abstract

Police personnel are exposed to substantial occupational stress, yet less is known about how occupational identity and different dimensions of occupational competence are associated with psychological well-being. This study examined the direct associations of occupational cognition, occupational emotion, and occupational behavior with psychological well-being, as well as their indirect associations through professional knowledge and professional skills. Personality traits were additionally examined as a dimension of occupational competence associated with psychological well-being. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,262 public security personnel in Shaanxi Province, China. Among the participants, 584 (25.82%) were aged 30 years or younger, 1,174 (51.90%) were aged 31–45 years, and 504 (22.28%) were older than 45 years. The sample included 1,780 men (78.69%) and 482 women (21.31%). Occupational identity, occupational competence, and psychological well-being were assessed using validated self-report scales. Pearson correlations and observed-variable path analysis were conducted, with additional sensitivity analyses involving auxiliary police status. Occupational cognition was positively associated with all three psychological well-being indicators. Professional knowledge showed negative associations with psychological well-being, whereas professional skills showed positive associations. Occupational emotion and occupational behavior were indirectly associated with poorer well-being through professional knowledge but with better well-being through professional skills, and the professional-skills pathways were stronger. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the main pattern was not driven solely by auxiliary police status. Occupational competence should not be treated as a single homogeneous resource. Among Chinese public security personnel, professional knowledge and professional skills showed distinct associations with psychological well-being. Police training may benefit from emphasizing not only knowledge acquisition but also the translation of knowledge into usable skills and supportive occupational resources.