‘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)

Journal article

Foley, J., Hassett, Alex and Williams, Emma 2021. ‘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 Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. 95 (1), pp. 224-252. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x21990412
AuthorsFoley, J., Hassett, Alex and Williams, Emma
AbstractThe 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.
KeywordsUK police; Secondary trauma; PTSD; Policing
Year2021
JournalThe Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles
Journal citation95 (1), pp. 224-252
PublisherSAGE Publications
ISSN0032-258X
1740-5599
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x21990412
Official URLhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0032258X21990412
Publication dates
Online10 Feb 2021
Publication process dates
Deposited11 Aug 2021
Publisher's version
License
Output statusPublished
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/8y5z2/-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

Download files

Publisher's version
0032258x21990412.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0

  • 172
    total views
  • 245
    total downloads
  • 9
    views this month
  • 3
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

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
Foley, J., Hassett, Alex and Williams, Emma 2024. 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. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x241228491
‘Holding onto trauma?’ The prevalence and predictors of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in police officers working with victims of child abuse, rape, and sexual exploitation
Foley, J., Jones, F., Hassett, A. and Williams, E. 2023. ‘Holding onto trauma?’ The prevalence and predictors of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in police officers working with victims of child abuse, rape, and sexual exploitation. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X231183638
Foster caring as ‘professional parenting’: A grounded theory of the relationships between parent and professional in long-term foster care
Hassett, A., Hollett, M. and Lumsden, V. 2022. Foster caring as ‘professional parenting’: A grounded theory of the relationships between parent and professional in long-term foster care. Adoption and Fostering. 46 (4), p. 413–436. https://doi.org/10.1177/03085759221139490
Health visitors' experiences talking about difficulties with the parent–infant relationship
Kouvaras, Stef, Hassett, Alex and Lumsden, Virginia 2022. Health visitors' experiences talking about difficulties with the parent–infant relationship. Journal of Health Visiting. 10 (7), pp. 292-302. https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2022.10.7.292
Exploring online social support groups, part 2
Hassett, A., Wagg, A. and Callanan, M. 2022. Exploring online social support groups, part 2. 13 (1). https://doi.org/10.1891/CL.2021-0014
Exploring online breastfeeding support groups, part 1 of 2: Finding a community of like-minded people helps a mother to reach her breastfeeding goals
Hassett, A., Wagg, A. and Callanan, M. 2021. Exploring online breastfeeding support groups, part 1 of 2: Finding a community of like-minded people helps a mother to reach her breastfeeding goals. Clinical Lactation. 12 (4). https://doi.org/10.1891/cl.12.4
"He's still There": How Facebook facilitates continuing bonds with the deceased
Akinyemi, C. and Hassett, Alex 2021. "He's still There": How Facebook facilitates continuing bonds with the deceased. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228211048672
Clinical supervision in CBT training: what do participants view as effective?
Kelly, N. and Hassett, A. 2021. Clinical supervision in CBT training: what do participants view as effective? The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. 14 (27). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X21000222
More than meets the eye: How black and minority ethnic care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity
Lensvelt, I., Hassett, A and Colbridge, A 2021. More than meets the eye: How black and minority ethnic care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity. Adolescents. 1 (36-53). https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents1010004
“It’s more than milk, it’s mental health”: A case of online human milk sharing
Wagg, A., Hassett, Alex and Callanan, Margie 2020. “It’s more than milk, it’s mental health”: A case of online human milk sharing. International Breastfeeding Journal. 17 (1), p. 5. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-96628/v1
Trauma recovery core capabilities for the children’s workforce in the United Kingdom: A Q-methodology study
Hassett, A. and Strohmaier, S. 2020. Trauma recovery core capabilities for the children’s workforce in the United Kingdom: A Q-methodology study. Journal of Family Trauma, Child Custody & Child Development . 17 (4), pp. 317-343. https://doi.org/10.1080/26904586.2020.1826026
Grieving in the workplace: How do grieving employees perceive their experience of workplace support from management?
Flux, L., Hassett, A. and Callanan, M. 2020. Grieving in the workplace: How do grieving employees perceive their experience of workplace support from management? Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. 18 (2), pp. 186-195. https://doi.org/10.1080/14773996.2020.1796084
Policing vulnerability: attrition, rape and domestic violence
Williams, E., Norman, J. and Barrow-Grint, K. 2020. Policing vulnerability: attrition, rape and domestic violence. in: Pepper, I.K. and McGrath, R. (ed.) Introduction to Professional Policing: Examining the Evidence Base London Routledge.
The ‘cost’ of caring in policing: From burnout to PTSD in police officers in England and Wales
Foley, Jim and Massey, K. 2020. The ‘cost’ of caring in policing: From burnout to PTSD in police officers in England and Wales. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. 94 (3), pp. 298-315. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x20917442
Direct Entry: Fairness, resilience and the impact on regular cops
Williams, E., Norman, J. and Boag-Munroe, F. 2020. Direct Entry: Fairness, resilience and the impact on regular cops. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice. 64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2020.100442
How employers respond to employees who return to the workplace after experiencing the death of a loved one? A review of the literature
Flux, L., Hassett, A. and Callanan, M. 2019. How employers respond to employees who return to the workplace after experiencing the death of a loved one? A review of the literature. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. https://doi.org/10.1080/14773996.2019.1590764
Service user involvement in cognitive behavioural therapy training; an interpretive phenomenological analysis
Garwood, P. and Hassett, A. 2019. Service user involvement in cognitive behavioural therapy training; an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-02-2018-0014
Online social support group use by breastfeeding mothers: a content analysis
Wagg, A., Callanan, M. and Hassett, A. 2019. Online social support group use by breastfeeding mothers: a content analysis. Heliyon. 5 (3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01245
“They needed the attention more than I did”: How do the birth children of foster carers experience the relationship with their parents?
Hassett, A., Adams, E. and Lumsden, V. 2019. “They needed the attention more than I did”: How do the birth children of foster carers experience the relationship with their parents?
‘Who am I?’ How female care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity.
Hassett, A. and Colbridge, A. 2019. ‘Who am I?’ How female care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity.
Supervision on the frontline
Guindi, A., Hassett, A. and Callanan, M. 2019. Supervision on the frontline. 92 (9), pp. 45-47.
Changes to police leadership: the legitimisation and the challenges of direct entry
Williams, E. and Scott, S. 2019. Changes to police leadership: the legitimisation and the challenges of direct entry. in: Ramshaw, P., Silvestri, M. and Simpson, M. (ed.) Police Leadership: Changing Landscapes Palgrave Macmillan.
Policing and mental health: do we really get it?
Williams, E., Norman, J. and Brown, M. 2019. Policing and mental health: do we really get it? in: Policing and Mental Health Routledge.
The police education qualification framework: a professional agenda or building professionals?
Williams, E., Norman, J. and Rowe, M. 2019. The police education qualification framework: a professional agenda or building professionals? Police Practice and Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2019.1598070
Parental involvement: a grounded theory of the role of parents in adolescent help seeking for mental health problems
Green, C., Hassett, A. and Zundel, T. 2018. Parental involvement: a grounded theory of the role of parents in adolescent help seeking for mental health problems. SAGE Open. 8 (4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244018807786
“They needed the attention more than I did”: how do the birth children of foster carers experience the relationship with their parents?
Adams, E., Hassett, A. and Lumsden, V. 2018. “They needed the attention more than I did”: how do the birth children of foster carers experience the relationship with their parents? Adoption and Fostering. 42 (2), pp. 135-150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308575918773683
Understanding risks: practitioner’s perceptions of the lottery of mental health care available for detainees in custody
Williams, E., Norman, J. and Sondhi, A. 2017. Understanding risks: practitioner’s perceptions of the lottery of mental health care available for detainees in custody. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pax067
Patient perspectives of being detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act: findings from a qualitative study in London
Sondhi, A., luger, L., Toleikyte, L. and Williams, E. 2018. Patient perspectives of being detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act: findings from a qualitative study in London. Medicine, Science and the Law. 58 (3), pp. 159-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0025802418774966
The use of computer mediated communication in providing patient support: a review of the research literature
Wagg, A., Callanan, M. and Hassett, A. 2018. The use of computer mediated communication in providing patient support: a review of the research literature. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 82, pp. 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.03.010
Youth offending teams: a grounded theory of the barriers and facilitators to young people seeking help from mental health services
Hassett, A. and Lane, C. 2018. Youth offending teams: a grounded theory of the barriers and facilitators to young people seeking help from mental health services. Global Journal of Human-Social Science Research. 18 (2).
Putting learning into practice: self-reflections from cops
Norman, J. and Williams, E. 2017. Putting learning into practice: self-reflections from cops. European Police Science and Research Bulletin - Special Conference Edition.
What do we know about the impact of stress on foster carers and contributing factors?
Adams, E., Hassett, A. and Lumsden, V. 2018. What do we know about the impact of stress on foster carers and contributing factors? Adoption and Fostering. 42 (4), pp. 338-353. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308575918799956
Violence against women: public health or law enforcement problem or both?
Williams, E., Norman, J. and Nixon, K. 2018. Violence against women: public health or law enforcement problem or both? International Journal of Police Science and Management. 20 (3), pp. 196-206. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461355718793666
Knowledge wars: professionalisation, organisational justice and competing knowledge paradigms in British Policing
Williams, E. 2018. Knowledge wars: professionalisation, organisational justice and competing knowledge paradigms in British Policing. in: Huey, L. and Mitchell, R. (ed.) Evidence-Based Policing: An Introduction Policy Press.
Young men’s experiences of accessing and receiving help from child and adolescent mental health services following self-harm
Hassett, A. and Isbister, C. 2017. Young men’s experiences of accessing and receiving help from child and adolescent mental health services following self-harm. SAGE Open. 7 (4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244017745112
Health needs and co-morbidity among detainees in contact with healthcare professionals within police custody across the London Metropolitan Police Service area
Sondhi, A. and Williams, E. 2017. Health needs and co-morbidity among detainees in contact with healthcare professionals within police custody across the London Metropolitan Police Service area. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 57, pp. 96-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2017.07.012
A new canteen culture: the potential to use social media as evidence in policing
Williams, E. and Hesketh, I. 2017. A new canteen culture: the potential to use social media as evidence in policing. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. 11 (3), pp. 346-355. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pax025
‘Who am I?’ How female care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity
Hassett, A. and Colbridge, A. 2017. ‘Who am I?’ How female care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity.
Experiences of engaging with mental health services in 16-18 year olds: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Hassett, A. and Jones, S. 2017. Experiences of engaging with mental health services in 16-18 year olds: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Experiences of engaging with mental health services in 16- to 18-year-olds: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Jones, S., Hassett, A. and Sclare, I. 2017. Experiences of engaging with mental health services in 16- to 18-year-olds: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. SAGE Open. 7 (3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244017719113
PhD in professional practice: psychological perspectives
Hassett, A. 2017. PhD in professional practice: psychological perspectives.
Experiences of engaging in mental health services in 16-18 year olds: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Jones, S., Hassett, A. and Sclare, I. 2016. Experiences of engaging in mental health services in 16-18 year olds: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Young men’s experiences of accessing and receiving help from child and adolescent mental health services following self-harm
Hassett, A. and Isbister, C. 2014. Young men’s experiences of accessing and receiving help from child and adolescent mental health services following self-harm.
The importance of measuring outcomes related to looked after young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health
Hassett, A. and Neal, A. 2011. The importance of measuring outcomes related to looked after young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Solihull Approach training in Solihull and Kent- working together to implement The Solihull Approach through a cascade model
Hassett, A. and Rheeston, M. 2011. Solihull Approach training in Solihull and Kent- working together to implement The Solihull Approach through a cascade model.
Exploring how parents make sense of change in parent-child psychotherapy
Kenny, M., Hassett, A. and Pae, L. 2016. Exploring how parents make sense of change in parent-child psychotherapy.
CAMHS Information Project: a resource kit for outcomes measurement in Kent Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Neal, A. and Hassett, A. 2011. CAMHS Information Project: a resource kit for outcomes measurement in Kent Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Mediating serious crime: an analysis of victim and prisoner mediation
Tong, S., Waters, B., Bryant, R., Williams, E. and Norman, J. 2017. Mediating serious crime: an analysis of victim and prisoner mediation.
‘Who am I?’ How female care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity
Colbridge, A., Hassett, A. and Sisley, E. 2017. ‘Who am I?’ How female care-leavers construct and make sense of their identity. SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016684913
Brain development and impact of trauma and stress on children
Hassett, A. 2016. Brain development and impact of trauma and stress on children.
Domains pilot: Kent County Council HeadStart Project. Case studies in promoting resilience in vulnerable children
Hassett, A. and Kerr, M. 2016. Domains pilot: Kent County Council HeadStart Project. Case studies in promoting resilience in vulnerable children.
What have we learnt? Where are we going? HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Four Report
Hassett, A. and Kerr, M. 2015. What have we learnt? Where are we going? HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Four Report.
Evidence based approaches: what is happening in Kent. HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Three Report
Hassett, A. and Kerr, M. 2015. Evidence based approaches: what is happening in Kent. HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Three Report.
Measuring outcomes: HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Two Report
Hassett, A. and Kerr, M. 2015. Measuring outcomes: HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Two Report.
Conceptualising resilience: the beginning of the definition and understanding for Kent. HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Report
Hassett, A. and Kerr, M. 2014. Conceptualising resilience: the beginning of the definition and understanding for Kent. HeadStart Kent, Knowledge Seminar Report.
Evaluation of the Solihull Approach in Kent: drawing conclusions from the data
Hassett, A. 2015. Evaluation of the Solihull Approach in Kent: drawing conclusions from the data.
Understanding your pupil’s behaviour: a pilot study from two primary schools in Kent
Hassett, A. and Appleton, R. 2016. Understanding your pupil’s behaviour: a pilot study from two primary schools in Kent.
Exploring how parents make sense of change in parent-child psychotherapy
Kenny, M., Hassett, A. and Pae, L. 2017. Exploring how parents make sense of change in parent-child psychotherapy. Journal of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy. 16 (1), pp. 73-92. https://doi.org/10.1080/15289168.2016.1248200
Researching sexual violence
Williams, E. and Stanko, B. 2016. Researching sexual violence. in: Brunger, M., Tong, S. and Martin, D. (ed.) Policing Research: Taking Lessons from Practice Routledge.
The politics of establishing reflexivity as a core component of good policing
Wood, D. and Williams, E. 2016. The politics of establishing reflexivity as a core component of good policing. in: Armstrong, S., Blaustein, J. and Henry, A. (ed.) Reflexivity and Criminal Justice. Intersections of Policy, Practice and Research London Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 215-236
The Solihull approach: understanding your pupils' behaviour: a pilot study in four primary schools
Hassett, A. 2014. The Solihull approach: understanding your pupils' behaviour: a pilot study in four primary schools.
Exploring the impact of the Solihull Approach Understanding Your Pupils Behaviour on a range of teacher variables and on their perceptions of their work with young people
Hassett, A. 2015. Exploring the impact of the Solihull Approach Understanding Your Pupils Behaviour on a range of teacher variables and on their perceptions of their work with young people.
Mediating serious crime: an analysis of adult prison restorative justice mediation
Bryant, R., Tong, S., Waters, B., Williams, E. and Norman, J. 2014. Mediating serious crime: an analysis of adult prison restorative justice mediation. London Nuffield Foundation.
A preliminary report exploring the need for and development of a coherent Personal and Social Education curriculum
Maynard, T., Moss, J., Bowie, R. A., Christie, S., Bainbridge, A., Barnes, J., Blamires, M., Hassett, A., Powell, S., Robinson, S. and Canterbury Christ Church University 2013. A preliminary report exploring the need for and development of a coherent Personal and Social Education curriculum.
Supporting public health practitioners to support the emotional well-being of young people
Hassett, A. 2007. Supporting public health practitioners to support the emotional well-being of young people.
Critical issues in rape investigation: a UK perspective
Tong, S., Horvath, M. and Williams, E. 2011. Critical issues in rape investigation: a UK perspective. The Journal of Criminal Justice Research. 1 (2), pp. 1-18.
Three BOCU Improving Confidence Report
Williams, E. 2010. Three BOCU Improving Confidence Report. London Metropolitan Police Service.
Preliminary well being report into sickness and absenteeism within women officers and staff
Williams, E. and Jacobs, S. 2010. Preliminary well being report into sickness and absenteeism within women officers and staff.
Reviewing rape and rape allegations in London: what are the vulnerabilities of the victims who report to the police?
Williams, E. and Stanko, B. 2009. Reviewing rape and rape allegations in London: what are the vulnerabilities of the victims who report to the police? in: Horvath, M. and Brown, J. (ed.) Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking Cullompton Willan. pp. 207-228
Reflections from a Police Research Unit: an inside job
Dawson, P. and Williams, E. 2009. Reflections from a Police Research Unit: an inside job. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. 3 (4), pp. 373-380. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pap043
Too little too late: assessing vulnerability
Williams, E., Norman, J. and Wünsch, D. 2009. Too little too late: assessing vulnerability. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. 3 (4), pp. 355-363. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pap042