Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Gregory Koehle

Abstract

Spirituality has been a fundamental aspect of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in many officers. PTSD affects a high percentage of officers and many of whom live a highly stressful and traumatic life even outside of work. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the impact of police chaplain programs and spirituality on police officers' mental health. The research question asked how a police chaplain program and spirituality impacted police officers. This study's theoretical framework was Pargament's theory. Qualitative research with a narrative analysis design was chosen to collect data from semi-structured interviews. The 10 participants, including six senior police personnel and four chaplains, belonged either to the clergy or to senior police personnel, had at least 10 years of positive experience, had impeccable professional records and accomplishments, and had experience with traumatized police officers and participation in different programs of spiritual nature or similar measures of therapy. An inductive, thematic procedure was used to find three themes: Law enforcement is a stressful occupation in which officers may suffer from PTSD. Spirituality is associated with PTSD prevention and positive coping. Chaplain programs support spirituality and are associated with benefits to police officers' mental and holistic health. The findings provide an understanding of how the police may use police chaplain programs and spirituality to engage in self-care and ultimately provide better services to the community they serve, resulting in positive social change.

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