Self-Regulation and a Regulatory Focus of Combatant Police Officers

Abstract

The article presents the results of a research of the particularities of the components of self-regulation and a regulatory focus of combatants – police officers who are directly involved in hostilities with the aggressor. The purpose of the present research is to determine the specifics of self-regulation and the peculiarities of a regulatory focus in combatant police officers having relevant experience compared to civil defense specialists. Methods. Inventory for researching self-regulation (J. Kuhl, A. Fuhrman, 1998), questionnaire for diagnosing a regulatory focus (Higgins et al., 2001). The empirical basis involved 182 respondents, divided into two groups: 92 persons – combatants of the special purpose regiment and 90 persons – police officers serving in civilian conditions. Results. Theoretical study showed that self-regulation and a regulatory focus are directly related to manifestations of individual activity in various spheres of life, including professional policing. It was empirically established that combatants demonstrate more evident self-motivation, self-relaxation, affective self-control, concentration, integration of contradictions, action focus in anticipation of success, prevention focus, and significantly lower rates of self-determination and promotion focus. Discussion and conclusions. It was substantiated that combatant police officers and police officers not involved in active hostilities have a peculiar to each group combination of components of self-regulation and a regulatory focus. The constellation of features characteristic of the first group serves as a psychological basis for managing activities and behavior under extreme conditions and external pressure, which trigger tension, contradictory experiences, and a regulatory attitude to prevent losses and failure of actions. The regulation structure in the second group ensures the implementation of the current activity, its planned performance, dealing with problems, and overcoming difficulties that result in the effectiveness of actions and achievement of success, which determine positive emotional self-esteem and motivate the subjects to future work and risk-taking.