Final answer:
Research suggests that police officers on afternoon and night shifts experience more work-related stress than those on day shifts, possibly due to circadian disruption and increased exposure to dangerous situations. Physical fitness and exercise are shown to buffer against stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Researchers have indeed found that certain occupational groups such as police officers working non-standard shifts, including afternoon and night shifts, experience more work-related stressors than their daytime counterparts. It is believed that the increased stress levels can be attributed to the disruption of normal circadian rhythms, increased exposure to dangerous or stressful situations during these hours, and the general increase in fatigue that can come with night or irregular shift work. The specific study referenced regarding Swiss police officers and emergency service personnel supports the idea that increased physical fitness has a beneficial effect on stress reduction, indicating that physical activity may be a useful strategy for managing stress in these high-stress occupations.