Trauma, Operational Stress Injuries, and Well-being: Prevalence Rates among Canadian Public Safety Personnel (emphasis on Correctional Workers)

• In Event: Contemporary Issues in Police Organizations

Abstract

Public Safety Personnel (PSP) are regularly exposed to events that are potentially traumatic (PTEs). Such exposures, alongside the already potentiality stressful work environment, increase risk for clusters of mental health related symptoms commonly referred to as operational stress injuries (OSIs), each with a series of substantial personal and social costs. Unfortunately, available data on exposure to PTEs and associations with OSIs among Canadian PSP, specifically correctional workers, remains sparse. Here, we will reflect on research from a national prevalence study of mental disorders among PSP to provide an overview of the frequencies of PTE exposure, symptoms of mental health disorders and overall disorder prevalence rates. The data comes from a larger study, using a web-based self-report survey. When asked to identify their worst traumatic experience, 24.0% of correctional workers reported exposure to sudden violent death, while ‘physical assault’ was ranked highest by 13.0%. There were significant relationships between PTE exposures and OSIs such as posttraumatic stress disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, anxiety disorders, and Alcohol Use Disorder. Given PTE exposure prevalence, and the association with OSIs, policy makers should ensure accessible evidence-based mental health resources are readily available for correctional workers.

Authors

• Rose Ricciardelli, Memorial University of Newfoundland

• R. Nick Carleton, University of Regina

• Greg Anderson, Justice Institute of British Columbia

• Alyson Mahar, University of Manitoba

• Dianne Groll, Queen's University