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Strategies for Coping with Occupational Trauma: A Scoping Review of the Police Officer Context

Author

Listed:
  • Mantji Juliah Modula

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Ellen Mokgobola Mathapo-Thobakgale

    (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0727, South Africa)

  • Champion N. Nyoni

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Ronelle Jansen

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

Abstract

Background: Occupational trauma is heightened among police officers due to their exposure to physical, biological, chemical, and psychological hazards. Sustained occupational trauma results in mental illness among members of the police, which is a public health issue of concern. This study aimed to report a scoping review of the literature on strategies employed by police officers for coping with occupational trauma around the globe. Methods: A search string, formulated from the review question of what is known about the strategies of police officers for coping with occupational trauma, was used to search for articles from databases. A total of 588 hits were screened against inclusion criteria, resulting in 36 full-text studies between 1983 and 2022 being included in this review. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction tool. The multi-step process was used to analyse the extracted data, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Results: From this review, ‘adaptive coping mechanisms’, involving confrontation; ‘maladaptive coping mechanisms’, such as self-isolation, distancing and substance use; ‘resilience’, relating to mental preparation, and ‘seeking support systems’ from family, colleagues and professionals reflected the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Social stigma related to mental health disorders impacts the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Conclusions: the police management and healthcare practitioners must collaborate towards providing constructive environments that support and strengthen police officers’ strategies for coping with occupational trauma.

Suggested Citation

  • Mantji Juliah Modula & Ellen Mokgobola Mathapo-Thobakgale & Champion N. Nyoni & Ronelle Jansen, 2024. "Strategies for Coping with Occupational Trauma: A Scoping Review of the Police Officer Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:7:p:921-:d:1435173
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cristina-Bianca Denk-Florea & Benjamin Gancz & Amalia Gomoiu & Martin Ingram & Reuben Moreton & Frank Pollick, 2020. "Understanding and supporting law enforcement professionals working with distressing material: Findings from a qualitative study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-28, November.
    2. Cristina Civilotti & Giulia Di Fini & Daniela Acquadro Maran, 2021. "Trauma and Coping Strategies in Police Officers: A Quantitative-Qualitative Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Daniela Acquadro Maran & Massimo Zedda & Antonella Varetto, 2018. "Organizational and Occupational Stressors, Their Consequences and Coping Strategies: A Questionnaire Survey among Italian Patrol Police Officers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, January.
    4. Gregory S. Anderson & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Linna Tam-Seto & Sulaimon Giwa & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2022. "Self-Reported Coping Strategies for Managing Work-Related Stress among Public Safety Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Konstantinos Papazoglou & Brooke McQuerrey Tuttle, 2018. "Fighting Police Trauma: Practical Approaches to Addressing Psychological Needs of Officers," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(3), pages 21582440187, August.
    6. Janine D. Beahm & Caeleigh A. Landry & Hugh C. McCall & R. Nicholas Carleton & Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos, 2022. "Understanding and Addressing Occupational Stressors in Internet-Delivered Therapy for Public Safety Personnel: A Qualitative Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-18, April.
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