Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Police Staff 12–18 Months After the Canterbury Earthquakes. Issue 2 (2nd April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Surgenor, Lois J.; Snell, Deborah L.; Dorahy, Martin J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of traumatic stress. Volume 28:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 162
• Page End: 166
• Publication Date: 2015-04-02
• Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1002/jts.21991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-9867

Abstract

Abstract: Understanding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in police first‐responders is an underdeveloped field. Using a cross‐sectional survey, this study investigated demographic and occupational characteristics, coping resources and processes, along with first‐responder roles and consequences 18 months following a disaster. Hierarchical linear regression ( N = 576) showed that greater symptom levels were significantly positively associated with negative emotional coping (β = .31), a communications role (β = .08) and distress following exposure to resource losses (β = .14), grotesque scenes (β = .21), personal harm (β = .14), and concern for significant others (β = .17). Optimism alone was negatively associated (β = ‐.15), with the overall model being a modest fit (adjusted R 2 = .39). The findings highlight variables for further study in police.