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Factors that Influence the Decision to Seek Help in a Police Population

Author

Listed:
  • Carolyn Burns

    (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
    Burns Psychological Services, Langley, BC V2Y 0E2, Canada)

  • Marla Buchanan

    (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

Abstract

Police officers face many competing pressures and demands. Exposure to potentially traumatic incidents and significant job-related stressors can place many at higher risk of developing physical and mental health problems. The police culture exerts a pronounced influence on officers, preventing some from asking for or receiving assistance. The stigma of being perceived as weak or incompetent, concerns about being labelled unfit for duty, and worry that accessing psychological support will impact future career advancement can affect the decision to seek help. The Enhanced Critical Incident Technique was utilized to investigate the following research question: What helps or hinders the decision to access psychological services in a police population? Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 serving Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada. The findings encompass five main themes: the importance of systemic factors, access to information and education, quality and influence of relationships, individual characteristics, and organizational processes that will increase the likelihood of accessing mental health services. The results contribute to the empirical literature by enhancing what is known about elements that influence an officers’ decision to seek psychological services, and factors that can enable officers to overcome barriers.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolyn Burns & Marla Buchanan, 2020. "Factors that Influence the Decision to Seek Help in a Police Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6891-:d:416638
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Konstantinos Papazoglou & Brooke McQuerrey Tuttle, 2018. "Fighting Police Trauma: Practical Approaches to Addressing Psychological Needs of Officers," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(3), pages 21582440187, August.
    2. Marian Pitel & Konstantinos Papazoglou & Brooke Tuttle, 2018. "Giving Voice to Officers Who Experienced Life-Threatening Situations in the Line of Duty: Lessons Learned About Police Survival," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(3), pages 21582440188, September.
    3. White, Michael D. & Cooper, Jonathon A. & Saunders, Jessica & Raganella, Anthony J., 2010. "Motivations for becoming a police officer: Re-assessing officer attitudes and job satisfaction after six years on the street," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 520-530, July.
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