SUICIDE, DIVORCE, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AMONG POLICE OFFICERS

• NCJ Number: 45411
• Journal: ESSENCE Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 225-231
• Author(s): J M FABRICATOR; J DASH
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Essence Communications Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER EXAMINES THE INFORMAL CONSENSUS THAT PSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION, MANIFESTED BY SUICIDE AND DIVORCE, IS UNUSUALLY HIGH AMONG THE OCCUPATIONAL GROUP OF POLICE OFFICERS.

Abstract

DATA COLLECTED FROM LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT (LAPD) SWORN PERSONNEL ARE COMPARED TO AVAILABLE DATA FROM MILITARY OFFICERS AND ENLISTED PERSONNEL FOR SUICIDE AND TO LOCAL AND NATIONAL RATES FOR SUICIDE AND DIVORCE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT LAPD OFFICERS MAY, IN FACT, HAVE LOWER PSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION RATES THAN PRESUMED. THREE FACTORS ARE PROPOSED TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS NONCONFIRMATION: (1) PREEMPLOYMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING EFFORTS; (2) THE AVAILABILITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES FROM WITHIN THE POLICE AGENCY; AND (3) THE PERSONALITY ATTRIBUTES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SELECT POLICE WORK AS A PROFESSION. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).