PTSD POLICE
P R E V A L E N C E OF POST T R A U M A T I C STRESS DISORDER SYMPTOMS IN T H E
R O Y A L C A N A D I A N M O U N T E D POLICE
by
CHISEN GOTO
B.A. Simon Fraser University, 1998
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL F U L F I L L M E N T OF T H E REQUIREMENTS
FOR T H E D E G R E E OF
M A S T E R OF ARTS in T H E F A C U L T Y OF G R A D U A T E STUDIES
(Counselling Psychology)
T H E UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH C O L U M B I A
August 2006
© Chisen Goto, 2006
11
Abstract
This study identified duty-related stressors and examined the frequency of stressors, prevalence of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptoms in male and female members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Differences based on years of service, gender, symptoms and prevalence of PTSD as well as coping and social support were explored.
The study was conducted via self-administered survey of 92 police officers (73 males and 19 females). Of the 92 participants, 41 (32 males, 9 females) completed all the items of the survey.
Results indicated that the male members identified armed violent arrests, serious threats made against themselves/family or friends as the most stressful, while women identified fatal motor vehicle accidents and sudden death as the most stressful events.
There was a significant relationship between years of service and frequency of stressors.
The prevalence of PTSD in the sample was 4.9%. There were difference in PTSD symptoms met by gender, but no significant differences were found for coping or anxiety.
iii
T A B L E OF CONTENTS
Abstract
•
ii
Table of Contents
iii
List of Tables
iv
Introduction
1
Literature Review
3
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
3
PTSD/Stress and Emergency Personnel
5
Stress and Coping
16
Stress in the RCMP
18
Gender Difference in PTSD
20
Gender Differences and Policing/History
25
PTSD Measures
33
Questions
40
Hypotheses
,
Method
40
42
Participants
42
Design
44
Measures
44
Police Stress Survey
44
State-Trait
R O Y A L C A N A D I A N M O U N T E D POLICE
by
CHISEN GOTO
B.A. Simon Fraser University, 1998
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL F U L F I L L M E N T OF T H E REQUIREMENTS
FOR T H E D E G R E E OF
M A S T E R OF ARTS in T H E F A C U L T Y OF G R A D U A T E STUDIES
(Counselling Psychology)
T H E UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH C O L U M B I A
August 2006
© Chisen Goto, 2006
11
Abstract
This study identified duty-related stressors and examined the frequency of stressors, prevalence of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptoms in male and female members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Differences based on years of service, gender, symptoms and prevalence of PTSD as well as coping and social support were explored.
The study was conducted via self-administered survey of 92 police officers (73 males and 19 females). Of the 92 participants, 41 (32 males, 9 females) completed all the items of the survey.
Results indicated that the male members identified armed violent arrests, serious threats made against themselves/family or friends as the most stressful, while women identified fatal motor vehicle accidents and sudden death as the most stressful events.
There was a significant relationship between years of service and frequency of stressors.
The prevalence of PTSD in the sample was 4.9%. There were difference in PTSD symptoms met by gender, but no significant differences were found for coping or anxiety.
iii
T A B L E OF CONTENTS
Abstract
•
ii
Table of Contents
iii
List of Tables
iv
Introduction
1
Literature Review
3
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
3
PTSD/Stress and Emergency Personnel
5
Stress and Coping
16
Stress in the RCMP
18
Gender Difference in PTSD
20
Gender Differences and Policing/History
25
PTSD Measures
33
Questions
40
Hypotheses
,
Method
40
42
Participants
42
Design
44
Measures
44
Police Stress Survey
44
State-Trait