Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jana Price-Sharps

Abstract

Resilience characteristics in law enforcement officers have been a focus of scholars for several decades. Repetitive trauma requires officers to establish coping mechanisms and manufacture varying resilience factors. Researchers have demonstrated that interventions to improve resilience may result in a higher demand for psychoeducation, training and well-being, and stress management. Researchers have yet to establish what shared characteristics are among law enforcement officers that promote resilience. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of law enforcement officers’ experiences, beliefs, and knowledge about their exposure to repetitive traumatic events. The resilience theory supported the research. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used to analyze the beliefs and perceptions of ten active-duty law enforcement officers of sergeant and below who had met all their probationary time. The snowball method collected data from a dedicated law enforcement social media platform, and individual semi-structured interviews were completed. These analyses indicated limited regional access to mental health resources, and mistrust of current practices and delivery methods remained. Law enforcement administrations and mental health providers may benefit from the results of this study by fostering positive social results that may change the law enforcement community's attitudes and perceptions, resulting in healthier and more resilient officers. Through this multi-pronged approach, an effective address to the needs of officers may be reached and may mitigate the suicide rate in law enforcement.

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