O10
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF ORGANISATIONAL FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POST TRAUMA SYMPTOMS IN POLICE OFFICERS
- D. Young, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
Background –
Police officers are at increased risk of trauma-related mental health issues due to the nature of their work. Complete avoidance of exposure is not possible, but identifying modifiable organisational factors is a key element to guiding preventative interventions.
Methods –
This study examines organisational factors contributing to post-traumatic symptoms, including PTSD, in police officers. A systematic literature review was conducted using Medline, SCOPUS, and EMBASE, focusing on primary research published between 2008 and 2024. Studies based on specific events were excluded to focus on general policing. Searches and assessments followed PRISMA guidelines.
Results –
Eight studies were reviewed, identifying four key organisational factors linked to post-trauma symptoms: workplace social support, leadership, work type/volume, and organisational resourcing. Insufficient workplace social support, particularly following traumatic events, significantly contributed to post-trauma symptoms. Supportive leadership, characterised by clear communication and empathy, was protective, while poor leadership exacerbated mental health issues. High work volume and monotonous administrative tasks were associated with increased symptoms. Adequate organisational resources, including fair pay and sufficient staffing, were linked to lower symptom severity.
Implications for policy or practice –
Addressing modifiable organisational factors can help protect officers’ mental health. Key areas for intervention include fostering supportive workplace cultures, improving leadership quality, managing workload, and ensuring adequate resourcing. The study highlights the need for sufficient funding to implement these changes effectively and assists in the direction of funding to resources and training to support these factors.
References:
- Syed S, Ashwick R, Schlosser M, Jones R, Rowe S, Billings J. Global prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in police personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Occup Environ Med. 2020;77(11):737–47.
- Jetelina KK, Molsberry RJ, Gonzalez JR, Beauchamp AM, Hall T. Prevalence of Mental Illness and Mental Health Care Use Among Police Officers. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2019658.
- Violanti JM, Charles LE, McCanlies E, Hartley TA, Baughman P, Andrew ME, et al. Police stressors and health: a state-of-the-art review. Polic: Int J Polic Strat Manag. 2017;40(4):642–56.
