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. 2013 Jan;86(1):79-88.
doi: 10.1007/s00420-012-0748-6. Epub 2012 Feb 25.

Assessment of a prevention program for work-related stress among urban police officers

Bengt B Arnetz  1 , Eamonn Arble, Lena Backman, Adam Lynch, Ake Lublin
Affiliations

Assessment of a prevention program for work-related stress among urban police officers

Bengt B Arnetz et al. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of a primary prevention program designed to improve psychobiological responses to stress among urban police officers.

Methods: A random sample of 37 police cadets received complementary training in psychological and technical techniques to reduce anxiety and enhance performance when facing a series of police critical incidents. Training was done by Special Forces officers, trained by the authors in imaging. A random sample of 38 cadets, receiving training as usual, was followed in parallel. Assessment of somatic and psychological health, and stress biomarkers, was done at baseline, immediately following training, and after 18 months as regular police officers. Comparison was done using two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and logistic regression.

Results: The intervention group improved their general health and problem-based coping as compared to the control group. They also demonstrated lower levels of stomach problems, sleep difficulties, and exhaustion. Training was associated with an OR of 4.1 (95% CI, 1.3-13.7; p < 0.05) for improved GHQ scores during the study as compared to no changes or worsening score.

Conclusions: This first primary prevention study of high-risk professions demonstrates the validity and functional utility of the intervention. Beneficial effects lasted at least during the first 2 years on the police force. It is suggested that preventive imagery training in first responders might contribute to enhanced resiliency.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Interaction of time of assessment with group membership (i.e., control vs. intervention) on scores on the General Health Questionnaire (±SE). The interaction between time and group membership was found to be significant: p < 0.05. GHQ General Health Questionnaire. Higher scores on the GHQ indicate greater levels of health
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Interaction of time of assessment with group membership (i.e., control vs. intervention) on stomach difficulties reported on the Bodily Symptom Scale (±SE). The interaction between time and group membership was found to be significant: p < 0.05. Higher scores on the Bodily Symptom Scale indicate greater levels of stomach difficulties
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Interaction of time of assessment with group membership (i.e., control vs. intervention) on scores of ability to sleep soundly (±SE). The interaction between time and group membership was found to be significant: p < 0.05. Higher scores indicate a better quality of sleep
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Interaction of time of assessment with group membership (i.e., control vs. intervention) on scores of vital exhaustion (±SE). The interaction between time and group membership was found to be significant: p < 0.05. Scores were coded such that higher scores indicate lower levels of exhaustion
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Interaction of time of assessment with group membership (i.e., control vs. intervention) on scores of problem-based coping (±SE). The interaction between time and group membership was found to be significant: p < 0.05. Higher scores indicate greater use of problem-based coping
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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