Police officers' experience with trauma.
This study examined officers' perceptions of the traumatic events they encounter on the job. Officers (N = 313) completed a survey asking about their experience with specific types of trauma, as well as what they considered to be their most traumatic event. They were given the opportunity to describe their unique perceptions of these events in response to open-ended questions. The results revealed vast variability in officers' experience with trauma in terms of the number, type, unique perceptions, and impact of these events. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for clinicians who treat officers affected with posttraumatic stress reactions and disorders.
Colwell
Lori H
LH
Whiting Forensic Division, Connecticut Valley Hospital, P.O. Box 70, Middletown, Connecticut 06457, USA. Lori.Colwell@po.state.ct.us
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016495:Police; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013781:Texas; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy