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Modula MJ, Mathapo-Thobakgale EM, Nyoni CN, Jansen R. Strategies for Coping with Occupational Trauma: A Scoping Review of the Police Officer Context. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:921. [PMID: 39063497 PMCID: PMC11277450 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occupational trauma is heightened among police officers due to their exposure to physical, biological, chemical, and psychological hazards. Sustained occupational trauma results in mental illness among members of the police, which is a public health issue of concern. This study aimed to report a scoping review of the literature on strategies employed by police officers for coping with occupational trauma around the globe. METHODS A search string, formulated from the review question of what is known about the strategies of police officers for coping with occupational trauma, was used to search for articles from databases. A total of 588 hits were screened against inclusion criteria, resulting in 36 full-text studies between 1983 and 2022 being included in this review. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction tool. The multi-step process was used to analyse the extracted data, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. RESULTS From this review, 'adaptive coping mechanisms', involving confrontation; 'maladaptive coping mechanisms', such as self-isolation, distancing and substance use; 'resilience', relating to mental preparation, and 'seeking support systems' from family, colleagues and professionals reflected the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Social stigma related to mental health disorders impacts the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. CONCLUSIONS the police management and healthcare practitioners must collaborate towards providing constructive environments that support and strengthen police officers' strategies for coping with occupational trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mantji Juliah Modula
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | | | - Champion N. Nyoni
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Ronelle Jansen
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
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Zakkar MA, Jang SL, Kolahdooz F, Deck S, Gillies C, Wagg A, Sharma S. Community experiences with police and implications for public health: A focus group study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0003123. [PMID: 38861518 PMCID: PMC11166326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Interactions with the police can impact an individual's short and long-term physical, mental, and social wellbeing, as well as levels of violence and unrest within a community. As such, this study aimed to explore experiences with the police among individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages in Edmonton, Canada. For this qualitative study, participants (n = 39) were recruited from an emergency shelter for women, a drop-in community organization supporting individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages, and a centre providing settlement support for newcomers to Canada. During the recruitment process, the research information sheet, including the scope and goals of the study, was presented, and participants who had any experience with the police were recruited. Each participant joined one of seven focus groups, during which experiences with the police were discussed; data from the focus groups were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis. Factors that contributed to satisfactory experiences with the police included the police demonstrating responsiveness and compassion, as well as an individual's understanding of police work. Factors that contributed to unsatisfactory experiences included the experiences of discrimination, stigmatization, and disrespect during interactions with the police. Participants suggested that community-police relationships could be improved by police being less judgemental and suspicious in their approach, undergoing regular training in sociocultural sensitivity, and being more open in their communication and community outreach. Overall, adopting a less discriminatory and more empathetic approach within a police force is essential for creating and maintaining a positive community-police relationship. By considering the socioeconomic context of people's behaviours and actions, police can better support the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moutasem A. Zakkar
- Department of Medicine, Indigenous and Global Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Se Lim Jang
- Department of Medicine, Indigenous and Global Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Fariba Kolahdooz
- Department of Medicine, Indigenous and Global Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah Deck
- Department of Medicine, Indigenous and Global Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christina Gillies
- Provincial Population and Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Adrian Wagg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sangita Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Indigenous and Global Health Research Group, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and impact on mental illness and substance use-related stigma among law enforcement. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2022; 5:100099. [PMID: 36844168 PMCID: PMC9949319 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Limited empirical data and research exists about stigmatizing attitudes and perceptions held by law enforcement officers towards persons with mental illness and substance use issues. Pre- and post-training survey data from 92 law enforcement personnel who attended a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training was used to investigate training-related changes in mental illness stigma and substance use stigma. Training participant's mean age was 38.35 ± 9.50 years, majority white non-Hispanic race/ethnicity (84.2%), male gender (65.2%), and reported job category as road patrol (86.9%). Pre-training, 76.1% endorsed at least one stigmatizing attitude towards people with mental illness, and 83.7% held a stigmatizing attitude towards those with substance use problems. Poisson regression revealed that working road patrol (RR=0.49, p<0.05), awareness of community resources (RR=0.66, p<0.05), and higher levels of self-efficacy (RR=0.92, p<0.05) were associated with lower mental illness stigma pre-training. Knowledge of communication strategies (RR=0.65, p<0.05) was associated with lower pre-training substance use stigma. Post-training, improvement in knowledge of community resources and increases in self-efficacy were significantly associated with decreases in both mental illness and substance use stigma. These findings highlight the existence of stigma related to both mental illness and substance use pre-training suggesting the need for implicit and explicit bias training prior to the start of active law enforcement duty. These data are consistent with prior reports indicating CIT trainings as a path to address mental illness and substance use stigma. Further research on effects of stigmatizing attitudes and additional stigma-specific training content is warranted.
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Granholm Valmari E, Ghazinour M, Nygren U, Gilenstam K. A systematic review of lifestyle and health among patrolling police officers. Scand J Occup Ther 2022:1-24. [PMID: 35704703 DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2022.2083013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The police profession is a high-strain and high-risk profession, sometimes resulting in poor physical, mental and social health. This systematic review aims to identify and describe crucial areas for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle among patrolling police officers in Europe, an area not previously studied. METHODS The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. A protocol was published and registered with PROSPERO beforehand. Searches were carried out in eight databases. Two independent authors screened articles and critically appraised the included studies. A narrative synthesis was conducted to analyse the results. The review's total body of evidence was assessed with GRADE-CERQaul. RESULTS A total of 16 articles were located, representing 13 studies. Barriers and resources for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle were linked to a theoretical framework of life balance. Subsequently, a linkage model was created to explain different aspects of patrolling police officers' life balance and its relation to health (physical, social and mental). CONCLUSIONS Several crucial areas for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle were found and described, indicating that patrolling officers' working life affects their possibilities of living a balanced lifestyle, which might disturb different aspects of health, depending on which aspect is compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ulla Nygren
- Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kajsa Gilenstam
- Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Boxer P, Brunson RK, Gaylord‐Harden N, Kahn K, Patton DU, Richardson J, Rivera LM, Smith Lee JR, Staller MS, Krahé B, Dubow EF, Parrott D, Algrim K. Addressing the inappropriate use of force by police in the United States and beyond: A behavioral and social science perspective. Aggress Behav 2021; 47:502-512. [PMID: 33948965 DOI: 10.1002/ab.21970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Recent high-profile incidents involving the deadly application of force in the United States sparked worldwide protests and renewed scrutiny of police practices as well as scrutiny of relations between police officers and minoritized communities. In this report, we consider the inappropriate use of force by police from the perspective of behavioral and social science inquiry related to aggression, violence, and intergroup relations. We examine the inappropriate use of force by police in the context of research on modern policing as well as critical race theory and offer five recommendations suggested by contemporary theory and research. Our recommendations are aimed at policymakers, law enforcement administrators, and scholars and are as follows: (1) Implement public policies that can reduce inappropriate use of force directly and through the reduction of broader burdens on the routine activities of police officers. (2) For officers frequently engaged in use-of-force incidents, ensure that best practice, evidence-based treatments are available and required. (3) Improve and increase the quality and delivery of noncoercive conflict resolution training for all officers, along with police administrative policies and supervision that support alternatives to the use of force, both while scaling back the militarization of police departments. (4) Continue the development and evaluation of multicomponent interventions for police departments, but ensure they incorporate evidence-based, field-tested components. (5) Expand research in the behavioral and social sciences aimed at understanding and managing use-of-force by police and reducing its disproportionate impact on minoritized communities, and expand funding for these lines of inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Boxer
- Department of Psychology Rutgers University Newark New Jersey USA
| | - Rod K. Brunson
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Northeastern University Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Noni Gaylord‐Harden
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - Kimberly Kahn
- Department of Psychology Portland State University Portland Oregon USA
| | | | - Joseph Richardson
- Department of African American Studies University of Maryland College Park Maryland USA
| | - Luis M. Rivera
- Department of Psychology Rutgers University Newark New Jersey USA
| | - Jocelyn R. Smith Lee
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies University of North Carolina‐Greensboro Greensboro North Carolina USA
| | - Mario S. Staller
- University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration Gelsenkirchen North Rhine‐Westphalia Germany
| | - Barbara Krahé
- Department of Psychology University of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Eric F. Dubow
- Department of Psychology Bowling Green State University Bowling Green Ohio USA
| | - Dominic Parrott
- Department of Psychology Georgia State University Atlanta Georgia USA
| | - Kaylise Algrim
- Department of Psychology Rutgers University Newark New Jersey USA
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