Law Enforcement Officers’ Emotional Wellbeing When Working on Crimes Against Children: When it Hurts to Help

Abstract

Law enforcement officers have reported the difficulty they experience dealing with critical incidents, particularly with crimes against children. Officers using maladaptive coping mechanisms to manage emotional trauma may develop stress disorders. This study served to assess adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms in law enforcement officers working as first responders to crimes against children and to understand the impact investigating crimes against children has on officer mental health. This study used a mixed methodology, involving 45 officers who completed four quantitative assessments: the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire, Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (B-COPE), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BBDI-II), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List-5 (PCL-5) with the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 and Criterion A (LEC-5 & Criterion A). Also, 10 of those officers participated in qualitative interviews. This study followed psychodynamic, depth, and relational therapy theories, focusing on how unconscious processes affect behavior. The data analysis revealed no significant difference in depression and PTSD symptomology between officers who completed assessments and interviews. Officers who completed assessments and an interview endorsed slightly more PTSD symptoms than those who only completed assessments. The analysis also showed no significant difference in maladaptive coping mechanisms, depression, and PTSD symptomology between officers who endorse three or fewer ACEs and those who endorse four or more ACEs. Officers who endorse four or more ACEs reported additional symptomology of depression and PTSD, but also endorsed higher levels of adaptive coping skills.