Research has demonstrated that policing is a stressful occupation and that this stress has a negative impact on police officers' mental and physical health, performance, and interactions with ...citizens. Mental health at the workplace has become a concern due to the costs of depression, anxiety, burnout, and even suicide, which is high among police officers. To ameliorate occupational health, it is therefore crucial to identify stress and burnout levels on a regular basis. However, the instruments frequently used to measure stress have not valorized the specificity of policing tasks. This study aims to: (i) conduct a literature review to identify questionnaires used to assess occupational stress and burnout among police officers; (ii) analyze the psychometric characteristics of a Portuguese version of Operational Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-Op); and, using the PSQ-Op and other questionnaires, (iii) to identify operational stress, burnout, and distress levels among Portuguese police officers. The literature review identified 108 studies which use a multiplicity of questionnaires to measure burnout or occupational stress among police officers, but few studies use specific police stress questionnaires. Sample sizes were mostly below 500 participants and studies were mainly developed in the last decade in the USA and Brazil, but also in another 24 countries, showing the extent of the interest in this topic. This study applied to 2057 police officers from the National Portuguese Police, a force policing urban centers, and used the PSQ-Op, as well the Spanish Burnout Inventory and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. The results show that the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of PSQ-Op are adequate. Factorial analysis revealed two dimensions defined as social and work issues, which were associated with measures of distress and burnout. Fit indices suggested a second-order solution called operational police stress. Overall, and considering the scale range of each questionnaire, the results showed moderate values of operational stress, distress, and burnout. However, considering their cut-off points, 85% of the sample presented high operational stress levels, 11% critical values for burnout, and 28% high distress levels, with 55% of the sample at risk of a psychological disorder. These results reinforce the need to prevent stress and to invest in police officers' occupational health.
Public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., communications officials, corrections workers, firefighters, paramedics, and police officers) are at risk of developing mental health problems due to experiencing ...potentially psychologically traumatic events during their career. Research examining evidence-based treatments for psychological injuries resulting from operational duties (also known as operational stress injuries) has not yielded robust results that would indicate ongoing interventions as the best solution for managing PSP mental health injuries; as such, proactive psychological interventions designed to bolster resilience are being considered potentially beneficial for mitigating the impact of occupational stress on PSP. Despite the growing popularity of resilience programs, most are delivered in a single session after an event deemed particularly problematic with no follow-up. Longer interventions may better support sustained resiliency, mitigate the impact of operational stress, and increase positive PSP workplace outcomes. The current article introduces the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program, which was designed for delivery early in a PSP career to enhance self-awareness and healthy relationships. The year-long program is derived from cognitive behavior therapy and group therapeutic techniques to meet program objectives. The current BOS program evaluation demonstrated small, statistically significant improvements in symptoms of PTSD, quality of life, stigma, and perceived social support from baseline (Time 1) to 6 months (Time 4). There were also non-significant improvements observed in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol use, as well as in emotional regulation and resilience. Qualitative results indicated participants positively perceived the BOS program, with participants reporting specific improvements in self-awareness, avoidant behaviors, and relationships with family and colleagues. The BOS program content (e.g., functional disconnection and functional reconnection) and processes (e.g., psychoeducation within a supportive learning structure; mutually empowering group interactions) appear unique relative to other PSP resilience programs, with promising initial results in support of PSP mental health. Recommendations for future research and program development are provided.
Background:
Canadian public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers) are exposed to potentially traumatic events as a function of ...their work. Such exposures contribute to the risk of developing clinically significant symptoms related to mental disorders. The current study was designed to provide estimates of mental disorder symptom frequencies and severities for Canadian PSP.
Methods:
An online survey was made available in English or French from September 2016 to January 2017. The survey assessed current symptoms, and participation was solicited from national PSP agencies and advocacy groups. Estimates were derived using well-validated screening measures.
Results:
There were 5813 participants (32.5% women) who were grouped into 6 categories (i.e., call center operators/dispatchers, correctional workers, firefighters, municipal/provincial police, paramedics, Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Substantial proportions of participants reported current symptoms consistent with 1 (i.e., 15.1%) or more (i.e., 26.7%) mental disorders based on the screening measures. There were significant differences across PSP categories with respect to proportions screening positive based on each measure.
Interpretation:
The estimated proportion of PSP reporting current symptom clusters consistent with 1 or more mental disorders appears higher than previously published estimates for the general population; however, direct comparisons are impossible because of methodological differences. The available data suggest that Canadian PSP experience substantial and heterogeneous difficulties with mental health and underscore the need for a rigorous epidemiologic study and category-specific solutions.
Public Safety Personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers and officers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and public safety communications officials (e.g., call center operators/dispatchers)) ...are regularly exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs). PSP also experience other occupational stressors, including organizational (e.g., staff shortages, inconsistent leadership styles) and operational elements (e.g., shift work, public scrutiny). The current research quantified occupational stressors across PSP categories and assessed for relationships with PPTEs and mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression). The participants were 4820 PSP (31.7% women) responding to established self-report measures for PPTEs, occupational stressors, and mental disorder symptoms. PPTEs and occupational stressors were associated with mental health disorder symptoms (
s < 0.001). PSP reported substantial difficulties with occupational stressors associated with mental health disorder symptoms, even after accounting for diverse PPTE exposures. PPTEs may be inevitable for PSP and are related to mental health; however, leadership style, organizational engagement, stigma, sleep, and social environment are modifiable variables that appear significantly related to mental health.
Canadian Public Safety Personnel (e.g., correctional workers, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, and police) are regularly exposed to potentially traumatic events, some of which are highlighted ...as critical incidents warranting additional resources. Unfortunately, available Canadian public safety personnel data measuring associations between potentially traumatic events and mental health remains sparse. The current research quantifies estimates for diverse event exposures within and between several categories of public safety personnel. Participants were 4,441 public safety personnel (31.7% women) in 1 of 6 categories (i.e., dispatchers, correctional workers, firefighters, municipal/provincial police, paramedics, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Participants reported exposures to diverse events including sudden violent (93.8%) or accidental deaths (93.7%), serious transportation accidents (93.2%), and physical assaults (90.6%), often 11+ times per event. There were significant relationships between potentially traumatic event exposures and all mental disorders. Sudden violent death and severe human suffering appeared particularly related to mental disorder symptoms, and therein potentially defensible as critical incidents. The current results offer initial evidence that (a) potentially traumatic event exposures are diverse and frequent among diverse Canadian public safety personnel; (b) many different types of exposure can be associated with mental disorders; (c) event exposures are associated with diverse mental disorders, including but not limited to posttraumatic stress disorder, and mental disorder screens would be substantially reduced in the absence of exposures; and (d) population attributable fractions indicated a substantial reduction in positive mental disorder screens (i.e., between 29.0 and 79.5%) if all traumatic event exposures were eliminated among Canadian public safety personnel.
Le personnel de sécurité publique canadien (p. ex. les travailleurs des services correctionnels, les répartiteurs, les ambulanciers et les
policiers) sont régulièrement exposés à des événements au potentiel traumatique, certains desquels sont présentés comme des événements critiques justifiant le recours à des ressources additionnelles. Malheureusement, les données disponibles concernant le personnel de sécurité publique canadien qui permettraient de mesurer les associations entre les événements au potentiel traumatique et la santé mentale se font encore rares. La recherche actuelle quantifie les estimations liées à l'exposition à divers incidents parmi plusieurs catégories de personnel de sécurité publique. Au total, 4 441 membres du personnel de sécurité publique (dont 31,7 % de femmes) de six catégories différentes (répartiteurs, travailleurs des services correctionnels, pompiers, policiers municipaux/provinciaux, ambulanciers et agents de la Gendarmerie royale canadienne) ont pris part à l'étude. Parmi les événements rapportés par les participants, notons des morts violentes subites (93,8 %) ou accidentelles (93,7 %), des accidents de la route graves (93,2 %) et des agressions physiques (90,6 %). Souvent, les participants s'étaient retrouvés confrontés 11 fois ou plus à de tels événements. Des relations déterminantes ont été observées entre l'exposition à des événements traumatisants et l'ensemble des troubles mentaux. Les morts violentes subites et la souffrance humaine aiguë semblaient particulièrement reliées aux symptômes de trouble mental. Il était donc justifié de les considérer comme des incidents critiques. Les résultats actuels permettent d'entrée de jeu de conclure que (a) les expositions à des événements au potentiel traumatique sont diversifiées et fréquentes parmi l'ensemble du personnel de sécurité publique; (b) de nombreux types d'expositions peuvent être associés à divers troubles de santé mentale, notamment le trouble de stress post-traumatique, et les tests de dépistage de troubles mentaux seraient considérablement réduits en l'absence d'exposition; et (d) les fractions étiologiques du risque indiquaient une réduction substantielle des résultats positifs aux tests de dépistage de troubles mentaux (soit entre 29,0 % et 79,5 %) si toutes les expositions à des événements traumatisants étaient éliminées chez le personnel de sécurité publique canadien.
Public Significance Statement
Growing evidence suggests that many first responders and other public safety personnel in Canada may be experiencing substantial difficulties with symptoms of mental health disorders. There have been suggestions that such difficulties may be associated with increased exposure to potentially traumatic events as part of working in public safety, with some people suggesting specific types of events may be particularly problematic. The current results support both suggestions and may be important for informing the national action plan mandated by the Prime Minister of Canada.
Abstract
Objective
This qualitative study explores the experiences of 26 family members supporting Canadian Armed Forces veterans living with mental health problems including operational stress ...injuries (OSIs).
Background
The research focusing on military‐connected families emphasizes the impacts of service on the families. Little is known about how families impact military veterans, particularly those diagnosed with OSIs. This research addresses that gap by revealing the capabilities and demands characterizing their everyday lives.
Method
Semistructured interviews with 26 individuals identifying as family members of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veterans and three focus groups (three participants in each group for a total of nine) with family members of CAF veterans released within the preceding 10 years were conducted. The veterans were living with broadly defined diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health problems including OSIs. Using the family adjustment and adaptation (FAAR) model as an organizational framework, demands and capabilities embodied within the everyday lives of the family members were revealed.
Results
Monitoring the well‐being of the veteran, managing daily life, accessing and mobilizing resources, and caregiving were discussed as capabilities by participants in this study. These capabilities buffer the demands associated with the veteran's mental health problems.
Conclusions
Results of this study endorse recommendations for family‐centered program and service development, modeled on approaches that recognize the systemic and relational contexts instrumental in supporting positive outcomes for veterans with OSIs.
Implications
Further research exploring the complex, interdependent, and interactional role of families supporting veterans with OSIs is warranted.
U.S. Army combat operational stress control doctrine and techniques are effective resources for military leaders preparing for prolonged operations in hostile environments. This doctrine provides an ...understanding of common sources of stress, stress reactions, and effective leader actions to help mitigate the effects. However, it may be less relevant to Army National Guard members activated to support their states during domestic emergencies. This article reviews the observations of one Behavioral Health Officer activated during the novel coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and describes the operational stress experienced by Army National Guard members. Adaptive and maladaptive stress reactions to the stress of the COVID-19 operations are reviewed. The author calls for new or revised combat operational stress doctrine that is relevant to part time, citizen-soldiers activated for domestic emergencies. Aggregating Army National Guard lessons learned in the context of COVID-19 may also help support soldiers in the case that unfortunate future waves of the virus occur and to prepare for future pandemics.
In deep mine production operations, the challenging operating environment intensifies the workload and pressure on coal miners. Long-term exposure to high-intensity operating pressure can seriously ...impact the physical and mental health of miners, leading to unsafe behaviors and accidents. To identify the pressure of miners' operations, this paper examines various driving scenarios, such as the deep-well tunneling machine cutting the wall and opening the alley, the shoveling machine shoveling ore, and the pickup truck driver transporting. The paper randomly collects facial images of miners during each operation using an explosion-proof CCD camera to obtain the facial expression characteristic data of miners. The Ferface2013 facial expression dataset was used to establish the dataset. The depth separable convolutional neural network MiniXception was used for training and to output the classification results of the pressure degree of deep shaft miners. A MiniXception-based miners' operating pressure recognition model was established. The training time, precision, recall, F1 score, and classification accuracy confusion matrix were selected. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the recognition model by measuring its training time, precision, recall, F1 score, and classification accuracy confusion matrix. The results indicate that the model has a correct recognition rate of 88% for the pressure state, 91% for the pleasure state, and 74% for the normal state. The overall accuracy of the model is 0.843. Therefore, the MiniXception recognition model is suitable for recognizing the pressure of miners' operations in deep mines. This can meet practical needs and is useful for preventing major accidents in mines, managing on-site safety, and managing safety in non-hazardous areas. It has important theoretical and practical significance.
•There is a correlation between operational stress and facial expressions. By categorizing and identifying facial expression emotions, the state of operational stress can be effectively assessed.•Compared with other network models, the confusion matrix obtained by the stress recognition model based on MiniXception has a higher recognition rate of stress state and pleasure state. the overall accuracy of the pressure recognition model is the highest relative to other networks.•Research on work-stress recognition for deep ground miners based on depth-separable convolutional neural network proposed in this experiment can prevent and eliminate mine accidents caused by miners' working pressure, so as to improve the safety level of mine operation, and has important significance for mine safety production.
Public safety personnel (PSP) are at increased risk of developing operational stress injuries. Peer-led reintegration programs (RPs) for PSP, evidence-based research is lacking. This study explored ...the experiences of PSP participating in a Reintegration Program Facilitator Training (RPFT) program. Participant (n = 57) responses were collected from surveys, satisfaction and knowledge questionnaires, and a World Cafe. Four themes emerged: (1) traits of an ideal RF; (2) holistic/complementary workplace reintegration approach; (3) necessary features of the reintegration program; and (4) culture-specific considerations. While RPs hold promise, it is essential that evidence-based research be used to guide RPFT and RP spread and sustainability.
Building psychological resilience in Armed Forces worldwide Panda, Srikrishna Prasad; Chatterjee, Kaushik; Srivastava, Kalpana ...
Medical journal. Armed Forces India,
March-April 2024, 2024 Mar-Apr, 2024-03-00, 20240301, Letnik:
80, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Psychological resilience among troops can be enhanced through relatively simple interventions. Globally, various Armed Forces have successfully implemented modules for building psychological ...resilience. Programs from different countries are listed, evaluated and their underpinnings explored. Recommendations for a variety of feasible and culturally acceptable interventions targeted at individuals, families, units, community and organizations in the Indian context have been made; ranging from mindfulness training to embedded combat psychologists. Interventions are likely to succeed if integrated within existing basic training and unit/career programs.
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