Effectiveness of the post critical incident seminar in reducing critical incident stress among law enforcement officers

Summative program evaluation was used to examine the effectiveness of the Post Critical Incident seminar (PCIS) in reducing traumatic stress symptoms of law enforcement officers (LEOs). Previous trauma theory research indicated when not addressed, the impact of such trauma leads to serious physical and mental health problems. The use of the PCIS with the study population had not been evaluated. This study was conducted, using archival data, to address this gap. The sample consisted of LEOs in the southeastern US. Officers participated in either PCIS-only or PCIS + EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) groups and were also categorized according to time since the incident. The Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) was administered at the start of each PCIS and again at 6 months. Dependent t tests were used to demonstrate significant pre/post decreases in IES-R scores for both groups. Of clinical concern at pretest, the IES-R scores for the PCIS + EMDR group were reduced to below the scale's threshold for clinical concern. Regression analyses were used to also document significant links connecting the time since the incident, type of incident, and gender with IES-R scores. These preliminary findings lend support for the PCIS, with implications for social change and further study: With continued research and recommendations, the PCIS can be enhanced to best help LEOs remain healthy and fit for duty, resulting in a safer society.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Marjorie Lamphear

Lamphear, M. H. (2012). Effectiveness of the post critical incident seminar in reducing critical incident stress among law enforcement officers. (Dissertation, Walden University)