Peer Support Programs to Reduce Organizational Stress and Trauma for Public Safety Workers: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Public safety workers (PSWs), including correctional officers (COs), law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service, and military personnel, are at risk of organizational stress and burnout. Exposure to traumatic events, job hazards, injuries, fatalities, and work-related stressors such as work overload, irregular shift assignments, and lack of administrative support can negatively impact PSWs' mental health. Peer support programs (PSPs) have been cited as an intervention to address the mental health of PSWs.

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to explore the use, including facilitators and barriers, of PSPs to reduce organizational stress and trauma for PSWs. Implications for COs will be discussed.

Method: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley methodology. A search was conducted for articles published between 1996 and 2021 using six databases. Selected articles described, implemented, or evaluated peer support as an intervention to reduce PSW organizational stress and trauma.

Findings: Thirteen articles met eligibility criteria. Organizational support, including policies, practices, and peer leadership training, contributed to the sustainability of PSPs. Confidentiality, trust, and shared lived experience were also essential to PSP. Stigma was identified as the primary barrier to participation. Public safety workers found PSP helpful in normalizing experiences, increasing hope, and decreasing stigma. Peer support programs also serve to bridge the gap in mental health services use.

Conclusions: Peer support programs are a potential mental health intervention to reduce organizational stress and trauma for COs. Awareness of the facilitators and barriers to PSPs is the first step in developing such programs.

Keywords: correctional officers; mental health intervention; organizational stress; peer support programs; public safety workers.