Organizational Factors and Their Impact on Mental Health in Public Safety Organizations

Edgelow, Megan; Scholefield, Emma; McPherson, Matthew Q.; Legassick, Kathleen; Novecosky, Jessica

doi:10.3390/ijerph192113993

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 116 publications

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“…This was reflected in the data among the PSP stakeholders, as it pertained to PSP's role in operating the respective RPs. Adequate staffing levels, along with co-worker and supervisor support, are positive organizational factors that facilitate better mental health among PSP organizations (Edgelow et al, 2022). Additionally, the sub-theme of, "the right people for the job," has been found in previous literature regarding the RP Facilitator Training Program (Jones et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Participants noted that a lack of attention to the evolving staffing needs and operational demands within the RP could be a major threat to the programs and potentially contribute to OSIs among RP staff themselves. A recent literature review addressing the impact of organizational factors on the mental health of PSP organizations found that high workload and limited resources were negative organizational factors frequently cited by paramedics and firefighters that contribute to negative mental health outcomes (Edgelow et al, 2022). This was reflected in the data among the PSP stakeholders, as it pertained to PSP's role in operating the respective RPs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…" organizations as well as to external stakeholders was identified in the third theme as an area of growth. Further, education, training, and communication among PSP regarding mental health topics has been shown to improve organizational wellness among PSP (Edgelow et al, 2022). For police, workplace culture was the most frequently encountered negative organizational factor that affected the mental health of staff (Edgelow et al, 2022).…”

Section: Present Statementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, education, training, and communication among PSP regarding mental health topics has been shown to improve organizational wellness among PSP (Edgelow et al, 2022). For police, workplace culture was the most frequently encountered negative organizational factor that affected the mental health of staff (Edgelow et al, 2022). Efforts to improve workplace culture, reduce stigma, and provide organizational support could contribute to better mental health among PSP.…”

Section: Present Statementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Stakeholder experiences of a public safety personnel work reintegration program

Jones

Spencer

Juby

et al. 2023

JCSWB

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Public safety personnel (PSP) are at risk of experiencing operational stress injuries (OSIs). The functional impairments caused by OSIs can contribute to challenges with returning to pre-injury operational requirements. A Canadian municipal policing agency developed a peer-led workplace reintegration program (RP) to assist PSP in their workplace reintegration after an illness or injury. Although this RP has been used internationally, there is a paucity of research on this program and its implementation by PSP organizations. The perspectives of key stakeholders are important for capturing the current state of RPs and future directions for the advocacy, implementation, sustainability, and spread of the RP, and to set the stage for future research. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders engaged in the creation, implementation, facilitation, and execution of RPs in Alberta, Canada. This will help identify strengths, barriers, facilitators, needs, processes, and attitudes associated with the RPs and direction for future research. A qualitative thematic analysis of focus groups (N=8) involving key stakeholders (N=30) from five PSP organizations with RPs was conducted using a community-engaged research approach as part of a larger mixed-methods study. Four key themes emerged from the participants: (1) Integral elements of success, (2) Integral needs, (3) Key areas of growth, and (4) Evolution of the Program. While RPs are highly regarded by the key stakeholders, it is essential that evidence-based research guide the evaluation, modification, implementation, spread, and scale of RPs globally.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Present Statementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Present Statementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Stakeholder experiences of a public safety personnel work reintegration program

Jones

Spencer

Juby

et al. 2023

JCSWB

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To date, little is known about the experiences of PSP who have made this type of WSIB claim. A recent survey-based study of 145 Ontario PSP who had an approved WSIB mental stress injury claim explored this experience with a focus on the RTW process (Edgelow et al, 2023b). The study revealed that the most frequently accessed healthcare providers were psychologists (61%), occupational therapists (60%), and general practitioners (44%).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Therapy and Public Safety Personnel: Return to Work Practices and Experiences

Edgelow,

Petrovic,

Gaherty

et al. 2023

Can J Occup Ther

Self Cite

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Background. Public safety personnel (PSP) are frequently exposed to psychological trauma through their work. Evidence shows that worker's compensation claims for work-related psychological injuries are on the rise for PSP. Occupational therapists increasingly provide return to work (RTW) services for this population. Purpose. To explore the therapeutic practices and personal experiences of occupational therapists working with PSP who have work-related psychological injuries. Method. This mixed methods descriptive study included a chart review of available occupational therapy client records from 2016 to 2020 for PSP with work-related psychological injuries from two Ontario companies. Additionally, a web-based self-report survey for Ontario occupational therapists providing RTW services to this same population was available from November 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022. Findings. The chart review included 31 client records and the online survey was completed by 49 Ontario occupational therapists. Therapists commonly provided services in clients’ homes, workplaces, and communities, and focused on functional activities. The evidence base drawn on by therapists was not always occupation-based. Barriers to RTW included challenges with interprofessional collaboration, stigma, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications. Occupational therapists are commonly working with PSP with work-related psychological injuries and have the opportunity to contribute to the evidence base for occupational approaches to RTW.

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Physiological Responses to Organizational Stressors Among Police Managers

Di Nota,

Scott,

Huhta

et al. 2024

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback

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Police officers demonstrate increased risk of physical and mental health conditions due to repeated and prolonged exposure to stressful occupational conditions. Occupational stress is broken into two types: operational stress, related to the content of field duties (e.g., physical demands); and organizational stress, related to cultural and structural contexts (e.g., interpersonal relationships). Applied police research focuses on physiological activation in operational tasks as a mechanism explaining health risk and non-optimal performance outcomes. However, recent survey-based studies indicate numerous organizational stressors associated with self-reported mental health symptoms. The question of whether organizational stressors elicit significant physiological activity remains unknown. The current proof-of-concept field study tests the hypothesis that police managers will display significant physiological reactivity before, during, and after engaging in reality-based scenarios representative of stressful police management tasks developed from evidence-based pedagogical approaches. A sample of 25 training police managers (7 female, M = 16 +/- 5.3 years of experience) completed 5 reality-based scenarios, including resolving a heated conflict between colleagues, delivering negative feedback to a subordinate, and critical incident command. Significant increases in heart rate relative to rest were observed during all tasks, and in anticipation of several tasks. Greater increases in reactive heart rate were associated with longer recovery times. Sex differences and relationships between objective biological and subjective psychological measures of stress are discussed. The current findings demonstrate significant physiological responses to organizational stressors similar to levels observed during operational tasks, despite the absence of physical or aerobic exertion. Implications for police health and training are discussed.

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Organizational Factors and Their Impact on Mental Health in Public Safety Organizations

Cited by 14 publications

References 116 publications

Stakeholder experiences of a public safety personnel work reintegration program

Stakeholder experiences of a public safety personnel work reintegration program

Occupational Therapy and Public Safety Personnel: Return to Work Practices and Experiences

Physiological Responses to Organizational Stressors Among Police Managers

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