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Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4518-5059

Date Available

5-2-2024

Year of Publication

2022

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

Faculty

Laura Escobar-Ratliff, DSW

Abstract

Significant inequalities exist within the expectations of police officers regarding trauma exposure and the lack of mental health preventive efforts and treatment opportunities. The prevalence of stigma thrives within the thought process of this culture paired with the expectation for resiliency, as police culture focuses on the ability to repress emotion instead of utilizing appropriate coping methods. This review takes an interesting look at the history, definition, and diagnostic criteria of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by focusing on its evolution within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) over time. The primary goal is to establish a relationship between the definition and diagnostic criteria with the stigma surrounding PTSD in the law enforcement culture.

Pubmed, EBSCOhost, PsychInfo, and MEDLINE databases were utilized. Considering time constraints filters were set to only include full-text online availability. Additional filters were set to only consist of peer-reviewed journals in the English language. The research was filtered to include citations with publication dates ranging from 2011-to 2021. Citations were excluded if articles did not pertain to the defining or diagnosing of trauma or post-traumatic stress in law enforcement and if publication predated 2011. After all, exclusions were applied, and 21 articles remained for review.

This review has brought about a gap in the literature regarding the need for differentiating between routine trauma causing post-traumatic stress in civilians, and excessive repeat trauma in police and other first response occupations. Definitions, clarity, and the objective nature of the diagnosis in terms of self-report and variations in perspectives seem to be the issues causing controversy. It is proposed through this review that by grouping police officers with civilians and utilizing the same criteria for diagnosis, officers are being stripped of their authoritative reputation. Considering the police mentality and warrior mentality, weakness is not an option. It is proposed that by differentiating routine exposure from excessive exposure, separate criteria could be developed to focus specifically on first responder occupational trauma exposure, encouraging acceptance and preventing post-traumatic stress from manifesting into PTSD. If executed correctly, LEOs could be proud of their effort to develop post-traumatic growth with exposure, instead of repressing their emotions and ending up with PTSD.

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