“I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officers
IntroductionThe frequency of assaults on police officers in the United Kingdom is rising and evidence suggests that exposure to work-place violence can negatively impact wellbeing, for example, increased perceived stress, feeling worn out and tired, and emotional exhaustion. Despite the prevalence o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145944/full |
| _version_ | 1797824445692248064 |
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| author | Louise Davidson Amelia Dennis Andriana Theodoropoulou Holly Carter Richard Amlôt Ian Hesketh Ian Hesketh |
| author_facet | Louise Davidson Amelia Dennis Andriana Theodoropoulou Holly Carter Richard Amlôt Ian Hesketh Ian Hesketh |
| author_sort | Louise Davidson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe frequency of assaults on police officers in the United Kingdom is rising and evidence suggests that exposure to work-place violence can negatively impact wellbeing, for example, increased perceived stress, feeling worn out and tired, and emotional exhaustion. Despite the prevalence of assaults on police officers, little research has examined the impact of repeat assaults on officers’ wellbeing.MethodFor the current study, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate the impact of repeat assaults on wellbeing and occupational outcomes in police officers and staff, including impacts on their mental and physical heath, impacts on their work, the impact of prior assaults on future assaults, and what support they were provided with.ResultsFindings indicate that repeat assaults had a negative impact on participants mental and physical wellbeing. Furthermore, a lack of support both from management and peers within the police force was found to further exacerbate the impact of repeat assaults. However, the provision of support was also identified as a mitigating factor when it was available and provided to participants which helped to protect participants from some of the negative impact of repeat assaults.DiscussionFindings provide a unique in-depth perspective into police officers’ experiences following repeat assaults, which can in turn inform national policies and help tailor effective support services within the police force. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T10:39:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-79b45961a85440178358872d0fe94fe0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T10:39:05Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-79b45961a85440178358872d0fe94fe02023-05-18T05:12:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-05-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.11459441145944“I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officersLouise Davidson0Amelia Dennis1Andriana Theodoropoulou2Holly Carter3Richard Amlôt4Ian Hesketh5Ian Hesketh6Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United KingdomBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United KingdomBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United KingdomBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United KingdomBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United KingdomNational Forum for Health and Wellbeing at Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United KingdomWorkforce Development, College of Policing, Ryton on Dunsmore, United KingdomIntroductionThe frequency of assaults on police officers in the United Kingdom is rising and evidence suggests that exposure to work-place violence can negatively impact wellbeing, for example, increased perceived stress, feeling worn out and tired, and emotional exhaustion. Despite the prevalence of assaults on police officers, little research has examined the impact of repeat assaults on officers’ wellbeing.MethodFor the current study, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate the impact of repeat assaults on wellbeing and occupational outcomes in police officers and staff, including impacts on their mental and physical heath, impacts on their work, the impact of prior assaults on future assaults, and what support they were provided with.ResultsFindings indicate that repeat assaults had a negative impact on participants mental and physical wellbeing. Furthermore, a lack of support both from management and peers within the police force was found to further exacerbate the impact of repeat assaults. However, the provision of support was also identified as a mitigating factor when it was available and provided to participants which helped to protect participants from some of the negative impact of repeat assaults.DiscussionFindings provide a unique in-depth perspective into police officers’ experiences following repeat assaults, which can in turn inform national policies and help tailor effective support services within the police force.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145944/fullpolice officersmental wellbeingrepeat assaultsoccupational supportleadershipphysical wellbeing |
| spellingShingle | Louise Davidson Amelia Dennis Andriana Theodoropoulou Holly Carter Richard Amlôt Ian Hesketh Ian Hesketh “I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officers Frontiers in Psychology police officers mental wellbeing repeat assaults occupational support leadership physical wellbeing |
| title | “I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officers |
| title_full | “I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officers |
| title_fullStr | “I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officers |
| title_full_unstemmed | “I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officers |
| title_short | “I don’t want to be a victim again”: the impact of repeat assault on police officers |
| title_sort | i don t want to be a victim again the impact of repeat assault on police officers |
| topic | police officers mental wellbeing repeat assaults occupational support leadership physical wellbeing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145944/full |
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