‘Getting on with the job’: A systematised literature review of secondary trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in policing within the United Kingdom (UK)

The aim of this review is to identify and critically examine existing research relating to secondary trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within UK police officers. A systematised literature review was conducted which identified 20 studies in police officers from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These studies comprised of terrorist incidents, mass disasters, general policing duties and officers working in rape and child abuse investigations. Key themes emerged regarding understanding the impact of trauma, the influence of police culture and understanding coping mechanisms. It also found a number of methodological limitations within the studies which are likely to have impacted on the results. This review highlighted that trauma in UK policing is still not understood and there is a stigma associated with officers seeking help. Recognising the impact of trauma on police officers and how trauma has affected them is crucial to ensure an effective and compassionate workforce which delivers a better service to the public. It is hoped that this review will address gaps in existing knowledge within the literature, consider implications for practice, as well as recommendations to be taken forward in this crucial area of research

It’s why you get up in the morning’. A Straussian grounded theory study of coping in police officers who investigate rape and child abuse

Policing by its very nature has been widely recognised as being inherently stressful with little that can be done to prevent police officers’ exposure to both primary and secondary trauma. Officers involved in the investigation of child abuse and sexual offences have been further recognised as working in some of the most stressful and demanding roles in policing. However, there has been little research within this high-risk group of officers which seeks to understand how they cope with both the organisational and occupational stressors they are exposed to, as well as which strategies help them to ‘ get up in the morning’. Data were collected through twenty-three (23) semi-structured interviews, with Straussian Grounded Theory used as a framework to develop a model of coping. This study highlighted that although some officers were affected by the traumatic nature of their work, there were other risk factors present which appear to have impacted on them more significantly including ‘burnout’, ’compassion fatigue’ and ‘moral injury’. Protective factors were identified as ‘being in control’, ‘organisational, social and peer support’ as well as ‘having a purpose’ all of which impacted on an officer’s ability to cope with the work they do. The present findings extend our knowledge of key concepts relating to police officer coping which may help officers working in these high-risk roles to cope with challenges they face daily. Recommendations for further research on how to support this group of officers, as well as implications for practice are discussed

<i>‘It’s why you get up in the morning’</i>. A Straussian grounded theory study of coping in police officers who investigate rape and child abuse

Policing by its very nature has been widely recognised as being inherently stressful with little that can be done to prevent police officers’ exposure to both primary and secondary trauma. Officers involved in the investigation of child abuse and sexual offences have been further recognised as working in some of the most stressful and demanding roles in policing. However, there has been little research within this high-risk group of officers which seeks to understand how they cope with both the organisational and occupational stressors they are exposed to, as well as which strategies help them to ‘ get up in the morning’. Data were collected through twenty-three (23) semi-structured interviews, with Straussian Grounded Theory used as a framework to develop a model of coping. This study highlighted that although some officers were affected by the traumatic nature of their work, there were other risk factors present which appear to have impacted on them more significantly including ‘burnout’, ’compassion fatigue’ and ‘moral injury’. Protective factors were identified as ‘being in control’, ‘organisational, social and peer support’ as well as ‘having a purpose’ all of which impacted on an officer’s ability to cope with the work they do. The present findings extend our knowledge of key concepts relating to police officer coping which may help officers working in these high-risk roles to cope with challenges they face daily. Recommendations for further research on how to support this group of officers, as well as implications for practice are discussed

‘<i>Holding onto trauma?</i>’ The prevalence and predictors of PTSD, anxiety and depression in police officers working with child abuse, rape and sexual exploitation victims

Research into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other common mental disorders (CMDs) in police officers is limited, with the majority of research predominately conducted outside the UK, and no study quantitatively examining the role of social support in relation to the mental health of UK police officers working with victims of trauma. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of PTSD and CMD in UK police officers who investigate rape, sexual exploitation and child abuse, along with the potential protective role of social support. Participants were police officers ( n = 353) within one police area, who completed self-report measures of PTSD, anxiety, depression and social support. Results showed that 23% of officers had potentially clinical levels of PTSD, 26% had moderate to severe levels of anxiety and 35% had moderate to severe levels of depression. Female officers, those of constable rank, those working with victims of child abuse, and those with lowest levels of social support had poorer mental health. There was tentative evidence that social support statistically moderated the relationship between tenure and depression. These findings suggest the need for bespoke help for the sub-group of officers experiencing mental health problems and for further research into the potential protective role of social support

Characteristics of Fibromyalgia Independently Predict Poorer Long‐Term Analgesic Outcomes Following Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111198/1/art39051.pd

Cochrane EPOC Protocol Providing medication adherence feedback to healthcare providers. The effect on care and outcomes. Protocol for a Cochrane review update Authors

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (update).BackgroundKey barriers to effectively supporting adherence include poor awareness amongst healthcare professionals (HCPs), scarce clinical tools and interventions, and suboptimal patient-provider communication. A Cochrane review assessed the impact of feedback interventions amongst physicians published until 2016. Other HCPs are increasingly involved in supporting adherence.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of providing healthcare providers with medication adherence feedback as a mechanism for improving patients’ medication adherence. To assess the impact of the intervention upon clinical outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, economic/financial outcomes and processes of care.Search methodsWe will search RCTs and cluster RCTs on CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsychArticles and PsychInfo, and grey literature sources.Selection criteriaInclusion criteria are any reported intervention providing adherence feedback to HCPs as a key component, for long term medication for chronic diseases.Data collection and analysisOne author performs title and abstract screening. Four authors will review full texts, extract data, and assess risk of bias. We will assess intervention effects on medication adherence, clinical outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, economic/financial outcomes and processes of care. We will assess heterogeneity, sensitivity, and undertake meta-analysis where appropriate.Main resultsThe search yielded 4415 articles (pending grey literature). Publication is anticipated Q1 2023.Author’s conclusionsMedication adherence feedback to HCPs could contribute significantly to reducing key barriers associated with poor adherence. The Cochrane review will provide evidence of effectiveness amongst HCPs whist updating that regarding physicians

Exploring how parents make sense of change in parent-child psychotherapy

Background: Understanding how change occurs in psychotherapy is imperative in informing clinical practice. Increasing attention has been given to the role that qualitative research could play in enhancing our understanding of therapeutic change. Although quantitative research suggests that parent-child psychotherapy is effective in facilitating change, no research to date has focused on how parents make sense of their change experience. Methods: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse semi-structured interviews of eight parents who had completed parent-child psychotherapy about their understanding of change. Results: Five master themes emerged which encapsulated participant’s understanding of change. These included constructing a survivor narrative, the experience of being understood enabling further understanding, adjusting expectations and practising acceptance and feeling empowered to relinquish control. The final theme summarised how despite psychotherapy being conceptualised as a ‘precious’ resource, there was a sense that its limitations could negatively impact participant’s wellbeing. Conclusions: Meaningful elements of change were identified from the parents’ experience. Findings were discussed in relation to previous research and limitations were examined. Implications for future research included using other qualitative methods to explore client experience. Implications for practice were noted, including enriched understanding of client change experience enabling therapists to provide a more attuned therapy

"He's still There": How Facebook facilitates continuing bonds with the deceased

This study explored the processes involved when the bereaved use Facebook to continue bonds with the deceased. Grounded theory was used to analyze Facebook pages and interviews with bereaved Facebook users. Individual attempts at connection, such as posting about the deceased person, were bolstered by others witnessing and replying to the posts. Collective reminiscence occurred through the sharing of memories about the deceased, which sometimes led to learning new things about them. These individual and collective processes helped to maintain and transform a connection with the deceased person, who for some participants was "still there" on Facebook

Revenue-Maximizing Corporate Income Taxes: The Laffer Curve

Abstract: Corporate tax rates among industrialized nations have been declining steadily since the mid 1980s. Theories of globalization, capital mobility and tax competition have been proposed to explain these changes. Less attention has been paid to the changes in corporate tax receipts during this period and their relationship to tax rates. This note explores these changes and finds, similar to Clausing

Health visitors' experiences talking about difficulties with the parent–infant relationship

Parent–infant relationships are important for healthy child development and health visitors are in a prime position to highlight any difficulties. Limited research exists into health visitors' experiences of talking about these difficulties; therefore, this study aimed to shed further light on the subject. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 10 qualified health visitors working with parents and infants aged 0–4. Five themes emerged from the data: the felt experience – connection to the personal; the impact of containing and carrying the burden; how to name the elephant in the room; coping mechanisms; and some things help, some things hinder. Findings highlighted the emotional burden on participants leading to avoidance of having conversations. In conclusion, there is a need for reflective spaces and consultations, as well as future research to include exploring difficulties with fathers