Police Postassault Reactions and the Buffering Effects of Social Support

• NCJ Number: 111681
• Author(s): H L McMurray
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 224 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Rutgers University - doctoral thesis

Annotation

This study uses data from Newark, N.J., and Washington, D.C., police departments to assess the nature and extent of police postassault reactions and the buffering effect of personal and work-related supports.

Abstract

The problem of police assault is fourfold: (1) the high probability of officers being assaulted, (2) the potential of an assault affecting them personally and professionally, (3) their continued exposure to assault prone situations, and (4) the potential spillover effects to the community. A five-part self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from officers of the two police departments who had been assaulted between July 1, 1986, and December 31, 1986. Thirty-nine percent of the questionnaires were returned. Respondents were asked to indicate how true a 15-item measure of subjective stress was for them immediately after the assault and within 1 week of completing the questionnaire. While the direction was negative, neither personal nor work-related social support had a statistically significant relation with distress; however, the latter had a strong relation. Thus, work-related support appears of greater importance in buffering assault specific stress. Respondents reported 'talking to someone' as the most frequent method of coping. Only negative life experiences, such as family and financial problems, was found to have a statistically significant relation with postassault distress, with distress greater for officers with these problems. This finding underscores the interdependence between the personal and professional lives of the police. While the relation between perceived seriousness of assault and distress was not statistically significant, officers reporting higher levels of distress reported more postassault problems. Although most officers remained satisfied with their jobs, those not satisfied indicated that they might quit. Most of these officers had less than 5 years on the job. In the final analysis, officers are affected when assaulted, and efforts to address their ensuing needs and problems should enhance their well-being and delivery of police services. 2 figures, 23 tables, study instruments and 156 references. (Author abstract modified)