P103. Silent Struggles: Exploring the emotional impact of trauma and its role in decision-making & misconduct behaviour in UK policing

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

This PhD research explores the link between traumatic stress (TS), decision-making and misconduct behaviour in UK Policing. TS is highly prevalent in policing (Brewin et al., 2022) and impacts officer’s mental (Velazquez & Hernandez, 2019) and emotional health (Lennie et al., 2020). Misconduct is a societal and organisational issue which often results from poor decision-making (Hough et al., 2018). Given what is known about the impact of TS on emotion (Powers et al., 2015), emotions role in decision-making (Lerner et al., 2023) and the maladaptive coping techniques observed in police officers such as emotional suppression and dissociation (Lennie, 2020), it is important to explore the link between TS, police decision-making and conduct. Study 1 utilises a mixed methods design, consisting of a cross-sectional survey (n=310) followed by interviews (n=8) with UK officers. The data was analysed using mediation analysis, and regressions finding that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and related factors are significantly associated with anger, shame, guilt and elements of empathy in UK police officers, all of which are emotions that influence decision-making. Mediation analyses found that relationships between PTSD factors and negative affect, were mediated by dissociative experiences (DE). Furthermore, PTSD, DE, anger, shame and guilt are significantly associated with misconduct. The interviews are currently in the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) phase. Study 2 will explore the role of emotion in police decision-making through a mixed methods approach (n=10), including audio diaries (1-month period ) and a post-diary survey comprising psychometrics. Audio diaries are reflexive and invaluable for understanding cognitive processes, emotional experience (Lennie et al., 2020) and decision-making. The storytelling concept allows for cognitive reappraisal (Lazarus, 1991), which can improve officer wellbeing (Thompson, 2023), meaning it is a mutually beneficial methodology. Transcripts will be analysed using narrative analysis which is scheduled to be completed by July 2025.

Authors

• Lucy Elizabeth Davies, The Open University

• Sarah-Jane Lennie, The Open University

• Graham Pike, The Open University

• Martin Thirkettle, The Open University