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Communicating Unexpected and Violent Death: The Experiences of Police Officers and Health Care Professionals

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  • Diego De Leo

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia
    Slovene Center for Suicide Research, Primorska University, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
    De Leo Fund, 35137 Padua, Italy)

  • Benedetta Congregalli

    (De Leo Fund, 35137 Padua, Italy)

  • Annalisa Guarino

    (De Leo Fund, 35137 Padua, Italy)

  • Josephine Zammarrelli

    (De Leo Fund, 35137 Padua, Italy)

  • Anna Valle

    (Autonomous Syndicate of Police (SAP), 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Stefano Paoloni

    (Autonomous Syndicate of Police (SAP), 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Sabrina Cipolletta

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

Abstract

Background: The notification of unexpected and violent death represents a challenging experience for police officers and health workers. These professionals are exposed to very intense emotions during this task. Aim: We aimed to investigate the degree of preparation, and the emotions and attitudes of police officers and health professionals while communicating such a death. Method: An ad hoc online questionnaire was created and disseminated through Qualtrics software. The participants were recruited through the institutional channels of Police, the College of Physicians, the ONG De Leo Fund and the Department of General Psychology of the University of Padua. In this qualitative study, thematic content analysis was used to examine the responses. Results: A total of 155 individuals participated in the study (44 females, 111 males): 102 individuals were police officers, 23 were doctors and were 30 nurses. Five main themes were identified: (1) how the communication took place; (2) the experiences during the communication; (3) the difficulties encountered; (4) coping strategies, and (5) forms of support. Most communications were performed in person, and most represented an intense emotional experience for the notifiers. There is a generalised lack of specific preparation and training for this practice. The recipient’s characteristics (culture of origin, language, age, health conditions, psychological vulnerability) may add to the difficulties of the notification process. Professionals unload their tension by practicing sport, relying on their hobbies or interacting socially. The presence of other colleagues during and after the death notification is usually able to alleviate the burden of the communication. Conclusions: Communication modalities can have a profound impact on the recipients and intensify the trauma of the loss; however, they also have the possibility of mitigating it. The notification of a violent and unexpected death remains a difficult and challenging task for the notifier, which is potentially stressful and emotionally charged. The topic is of great relevance and more research should be promoted in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego De Leo & Benedetta Congregalli & Annalisa Guarino & Josephine Zammarrelli & Anna Valle & Stefano Paoloni & Sabrina Cipolletta, 2022. "Communicating Unexpected and Violent Death: The Experiences of Police Officers and Health Care Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:11030-:d:905892
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mojtaba Vaismoradi & Hannele Turunen & Terese Bondas, 2013. "Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 398-405, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Diego De Leo & Andrea Viecelli Giannotti & Nicola Meda & Martina Sorce & Josephine Zammarrelli, 2024. "The Effect of Life Stages on the Experience of Those Who Have Received an Unexpected and Violent Death Notification: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Diego De Leo & Josephine Zammarrelli & Giulia Marinato & Marta Capelli & Andrea Viecelli Giannotti, 2023. "Best Practices for Notification of Unexpected, Violent, and Traumatic Death: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-25, June.

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