| Summary: | Two recent surveys have reported widely differing prevalence rates for
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the U.K. police force. Stevelink et
al. (2020) reported a rate of 3.9% whereas a survey conducted for the charity
Police Care UK reported a rate of 20.6%. In this comment we discuss how
definitions and methodological factors can impact prevalence rates. We consider
a number of possible reasons for the discrepancy between the surveys, and
conclude that it is most likely a method artefact. Stevelink et al.’s survey
reported the prevalence of recent-onset DSM-IV PTSD only, whereas the Police
Care UK survey reported the total ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD prevalence,
regardless of when in the person’s career the traumatic events occurred.
Analysing the Police Care UK data using Stevelink et al.’s procedures produced
practically identical prevalence rates, suggesting that the discrepancy was
apparent rather than real.
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