Risk factors for complex posttraumatic stress disorder in UK police

Abstract

Background Police officers are frequently exposed to distressing and dangerous situations, increasing their risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Research examining C-PTSD in police officers is sparse, particularly examination of the occupational risk factors for trauma symptoms. Aims This study aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors for PTSD and C-PTSD in UK police officers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using psychological health surveillance data from the UK National Police Wellbeing Service. Police officers were either from high-risk areas of work or had been referred for screening by occupational health practitioners regarding psychological distress. The primary outcome for this study was a positive screening of either PTSD or C-PTSD, measured using the International Trauma Questionnaire. A range of occupational, clinical and lifestyle factors was examined to establish their role as potential risk factors for PTSD and C-PTSD. Results In total, 2444 UK police officers were included, with 89% from high-risk areas of work. A prevalence of 3% for PTSD and 2% for C-PTSD was found in police officers from high-risk areas of work. Higher work stress and lower manager support were found to increase the odds of C-PTSD but not PTSD. Higher personal trauma history increased the risk for PTSD and C-PTSD equally. Conclusions Work-related occupational factors increased the odds of PTSD and C-PTSD in police officers, which could be important risk factors for trauma symptoms within police officers. Efforts should be made to improve the working environment of police officers to help improve their psychological well-being.

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

“…Operational factors are considered to be the unavoidable aspects of public safety work, sometimes referred to as the content of the work. Two articles identified a positive relationship between work role and mental health outcomes [ 93 , 100 ]. For example, police officers working in “Operational Support” roles demonstrated lower odds of developing PTSD compared to investigations officers [ 100 ].…”

“…Two articles identified a positive relationship between work role and mental health outcomes [ 93 , 100 ]. For example, police officers working in “Operational Support” roles demonstrated lower odds of developing PTSD compared to investigations officers [ 100 ]. In another study, correctional workers in Institutional Governance (e.g., superintendents, and correctional managers) had higher mean PTSD scores than those working in Institutional Wellness (e.g., nurses, social workers, psychologists, etc.)…”

“…Personal factors refer to factors unique to the individual performing the public safety work; these factors exist outside of the work context but may interact with it. Out of the 97 included studies, family support ( n = 8) [ 5 , 18 , 21 , 41 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 77 ] and job satisfaction or meaning ( n = 8) [ 5 , 19 , 26 , 43 , 77 , 100 , 105 ] appeared to be the most frequent supportive personal factors. For example, one article emphasized the protective role of family relationships in preventing correctional officers from attempting suicide [ 48 ].…”

The psychological impact of COVID-19 on police officers

“…However, policing roles, particularly for officers involved in front-line responding, expose them to a high frequency of traumatic exposures, rather than responding to a single traumatic incident. Multiple exposures to trauma can make officers and staff more vulnerable to the development of complex traumatic stress (Miller et al, 2021; Steel et al, 2021).…”

Fatores de risco e de proteção associados ao desenvolvimento de estresse em uma amostra de policiais rodoviários federais do estado de São Paulo

“…Segundo resultado divulgado por Oliveira 158 , 3% manifestaram TEPT e 2% TEPT complexo (mesmo critério que TEPT acrescido dos sintomas de desregulação afetiva, autoconceito negativo e distúrbios interpessoais); por fim, na pesquisa em policiais da Inglaterra e País de Gales constatou-se que 7,97% da amostra evidenciou sintomas de TEPT e 13,01% de TEPT complexo 159 .…”