Workplace stressors for investigative interviewers of child‐abuse victims

Powell, Martine B.; Guadagno, Belinda; Cassematis, Peter George

doi:10.1108/pijpsm-05-2012-0039

Cited by 25 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Consistent with previous research using a sample of more generalist child abuse investigators (Powell et al, 2013;Wright et al, 2006), exposure to case material was not an especially salient stressor. Stressors associated with ICE investigation related to three areas; work relationships, workload and resources and the physical environment.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Police officers’ perceptions of the challenges involved in Internet Child Exploitation investigation

Powell

Cassematis

Benson

et al. 2014

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies &Amp; Management

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore police officers’ perceptions of the challenges and work stressors of working in Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) investigation. Design/methodology/approach – Participants were a heterogeneous sample of 32 ICE investigators across nine Australian jurisdictions. Officers’ perceptions of ICE work were elicited via individual, open-ended, anonymous, telephone interviews, which focused on both the nature and impact of work-related stressors and challenges. Findings – Thematic analysis revealed that viewing ICE material was not perceived to be a major stressor or particularly traumatic facet of ICE investigation. Rather, the challenges related to three areas; work relationships, workload and resources and the physical environment. Participants also suggested some improvements to their work environment which could reduce the impact of these challenges. Practical implications – The stressors identified by ICE investigators in this study place physical, psychological and social restrictions on investigative capacity. Modifications to the workplace environment that facilitate more effective professional collaboration, reduce workload and enhance investigator efficiency and functionality of the physical work environment would likely reduce the potential for harm associated with ICE investigation and improve ICE investigators’ capacity to perform their role. Originality/value – This is the first study to use a broad research framework to examine the full range of stressors that ICE investigators face (both organisational and operational). The findings are important for developing comprehensive theories regarding workplace traumatisation as well as holistic intervention models to assist the prevention and management of stress related to ICE investigation.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Police officers’ perceptions of the challenges involved in Internet Child Exploitation investigation

Powell

Cassematis

Benson

et al. 2014

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies &Amp; Management

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Prior research regarding police investigations of children related crimes such as neglect, homicide, or sexual abuse suggest that officers are often at greater risk for developing secondary traumatic stress (Krause, 2013; Chouliara et al, 2009; Powell and Tomyn, 2011). Officers working these cases may also be at risk for depression and anxiety (Powell and Guadagno, 2013; Russ et al, 2009). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of perceived intensity and frequency of police work occupational stressors on the cortisol awakening response (CAR): Findings from the BCOPS study

Violanti

Fekedulegn

Andrew

et al. 2017

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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Police officers encounter unpredictable, evolving, and escalating stressful demands in their work. Utilizing the Spielberger Police Stress Survey (60-item instrument for assessing specific conditions or events considered to be stressors in police work), the present study examined the association of the top five highly rated and bottom five least rated work stressors among police officers with their awakening cortisol pattern. Participants were police officers enrolled in the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) study (n = 338). For each group, the total stress index (product of rating and frequency of the stressor) was calculated. Participants collected saliva by means of Salivettes at four time points: on awakening, 15, 30 and 45 min after waking to examine the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Saliva samples were analyzed for free cortisol concentrations. A slope reflecting the awakening pattern of cortisol over time was estimated by fitting a linear regression model relating cortisol in log-scale to time of collection. The slope served as the outcome variable. Analysis of covariance, regression, and repeated measures models were used to determine if there was an association of the stress index with the waking cortisol pattern. There was a significant negative linear association between total stress index of the five highest stressful events and slope of the awakening cortisol regression line (trend p-value = 0.0024). As the stress index increased, the pattern of the awakening cortisol regression line tended to flatten. Officers with a zero stress index showed a steep and steady increase in cortisol from baseline (which is often observed) while officers with a moderate or high stress index showed a dampened or flatter response over time. Conversely, the total stress index of the five least rated events was not significantly associated with the awakening cortisol pattern. The study suggests that police events or conditions considered highly stressful by the officers may be associated with disturbances of the typical awakening cortisol pattern. The results are consistent with previous research where chronic exposure to stressors is associated with a diminished awakening cortisol response pattern.

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“…Prior research regarding police investigations of children related crimes, such as neglect, homicide, or sexual abuse suggest that officers are often at greater risk for developing secondary traumatic stress (Krause, 2013; Chouliara, Hutchinson & Karatzias, 2009; Powell & Tomyn, 2011; Burns, Morley, Bradshaw & Domene, 2008; Violanti & Gehrke, 2004), and depression and anxiety (Powell & Guadagno, 2013; Russ, Lonne & Darlington, 2009). Powell and Guadagno (2013) also suggest that officers may be at higher risk for vicarious traumatization, a cumulative effect of trauma upon one’s self. Wright, Powell and Ridge (2006) found that the two key sources of negative work stress frequently associated with child abuse investigation were heavy caseloads and unavailability of formal coping mechanisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Highly Rated and most Frequent Stressors among Police Officers: Gender Differences

et al. 2016

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This descriptive study examined the top five most frequent and highly rated occupational stressors from the Spielberger Police Stress Survey among 365 police officers enrolled in the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) Study (2004–2009). Prevalence, frequency, and rating of stressors were compared across gender. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence and prevalence ratio (PR) of events. Analysis of variance was used to compare mean frequency of occurrence and mean stress ratings by gender. Many reported stressors dealt with violent situations. Responding to family disputes (83 %) was reported as the most frequent stressor and exposure to battered children (27 %) was the most highly rated stressor (mean rating: 67.6 ± 35.3). Killing someone in the line of duty (mean rating: 66.3 ± 43.0) and experiencing a fellow officer being killed (mean rating: 65.3 ± 40.6) were highly rated but infrequent (0.27 % and 3.6 %, respectively). Male officers tended to report more frequent stressors which took away from their time off duty such as court appearances (PR = 1.26, 1.04–1.52) and working second jobs (PR = 2.37, 1.57–3.57). In contrast, female officers reported experiencing a 37 % higher prevalence of lack of support from supervisor (PR = 0.63, 0.48–0.82) relative to male officers. Results of the present study are discussed within the context of specific police stressors and gender.

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Workplace stressors for investigative interviewers of child‐abuse victims

Cited by 25 publications

References 39 publications

Police officers’ perceptions of the challenges involved in Internet Child Exploitation investigation

Police officers’ perceptions of the challenges involved in Internet Child Exploitation investigation

The impact of perceived intensity and frequency of police work occupational stressors on the cortisol awakening response (CAR): Findings from the BCOPS study

Highly Rated and most Frequent Stressors among Police Officers: Gender Differences

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