Exploring the Impact of Work-Related Traumatic Stress on Law Enforcement Couples

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dc.contributor.authorCampbell, Avery Reneeen
dc.contributor.committeechairLanders, Ashley L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCunanan-Petty, Elnora D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberJackson, Jeffrey B.en
dc.contributor.departmentAdult Learning and Human Resource Developmenten
dc.date.accessioned2020-07-24T08:00:59Zen
dc.date.available2020-07-24T08:00:59Zen
dc.date.issued2020-07-23en
dc.description.abstractStudies exploring the impact of work-related traumatic stress on law enforcement couples are limited. Such studies suggest that when work-related traumatic stress impacts law enforcement professionals, their spouses may experience secondary traumatic stress and serve in a supportive role following trauma exposure. Grounded in secondary traumatic stress theory, this study explored the impact of work-related traumatic stress on law enforcement couples. Semi-structured dyadic interviews were conducted with law enforcement couples (N = 7) using transcendental phenomenology. Three themes emerged within the data that captured the essence of law enforcement couple experiences of work-related traumatic stress: (1) the stressful nature of the law enforcement profession, (2) the impact of work-related traumatic stress on the couple relationship, and (3) resilient couple characteristics. The impact of work-related traumatic stress manifested in couple's communication, role responsibilities and parenting, and commitment to the relationship and the profession. Whereas the impact of work-related traumatic events differed for the law enforcement professional and their spouse based on the type of traumatic event, overall work-related traumatic stress led couples to engage in a meaning making process and activation of resilient couple coping characteristics. Given the significant impact that work-related traumatic stress has on the law enforcement couple dyad, couples therapy interventions are needed for law enforcement professionals and their spouses.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralLaw enforcement professionals often experience symptoms of traumatic stress as a result of repeated exposure to work-related traumatic events. Spouses of law enforcement professionals may also experience secondary traumatic stress and serve in a supportive role following work-related traumatic stress exposure. This study explored the impact of work-related traumatic stress on law enforcement couples. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with law enforcement couples (N = 7) using transcendental phenomenology. Couples experienced work-related stress related to the nature of the law enforcement professional's work outside of the instances of work-related traumatic events. Job demands and expectations of police culture contributed to work-related stress along with the stress of work-related traumatic events. Three themes emerged within the data that captured the essence of law enforcement couple experiences including: (1) the stressful nature of the law enforcement profession, (2) the impact of work-related traumatic stress on the couple relationship, and (3) resilient couple characteristics. The impact of work-related traumatic stress manifested in couple's communication, role responsibilities and parenting, and commitment to the relationship and the profession. While the impact of work-related traumatic events differed for the law enforcement professional and their spouse based on the type of traumatic event, overall work-related traumatic stress led couples to engage in a meaning making process and activation of resilient couple coping characteristics. Given the significant impact that work-related traumatic stress has on the law enforcement couple dyad, interventions are needed for law enforcement couples.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:25901en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/99410en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectlaw enforcement couplesen
dc.subjecttraumatic stressen
dc.subjectsecondary traumatic stressen
dc.titleExploring the Impact of Work-Related Traumatic Stress on Law Enforcement Couplesen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineHuman Developmenten
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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