Beyond the Uniform: Impact of Indirect Trauma on Spanish Police Officers

Abstract

Indirect trauma, produced by repeated exposure to traumatized individuals, has an impact on a professional’s mental health, producing post-traumatic symptoms (secondary trauma [ST]) and changes in their fundamental beliefs (vicarious trauma [VT]). While indirect trauma has been extensively studied in by healthcare providers, police officers have been overlooked. This study aims to explore the impact of indirect trauma (ST and VT) in a sample of police officers. A sample composed of 112 police officers (80.4% males) from Córdoba (Spain), with a mean age of 48.69 years (SD = 8.30), completed an online survey comprised of three self-report measures (Impact of Events Scale-R, Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, World Assumption Scale). All participants reported direct and indirect trauma. Differences concerning the impact of indirect trauma were found depending on the criteria used. Quantitatively (i.e., cut-off scores), levels of ST and VT were mild. However, qualitatively (i.e., diagnostic algorithm), 21.4% (n = 25) achieved a PTSD diagnosis produced by indirect exposure (secondary trauma). Traumatized officers showed higher levels of ST and VT than non-traumatized officers. Among them, those who received social support showed lower levels of ST and TV. Despite the prevalence of indirect trauma, only 7% of the participants received psychological support. Most of the sample (94%) considered it essential to have access to psychological services, and 84% expressed their willingness to use them if they were available. The cost of police work is often underestimated. Further investigation is required to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.