Predictors of physiological stress and psychological distress in police communicators

This study sought to better understand experiences of psychological distress and physiological stress in police communicators. One-hundred and thirteen police communicators from both rural and urban areas completed questionnaires that addressed psychological distress (acute anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress), coping strategies, social supports, and locus of control. Communicators reported high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but had levels of anxiety and depression that were within normal limits. Levels of PTSD and depression increased with years of employment. Emotion-focused coping was the strongest predictor of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Coping styles were not associated with physiological stress. Social support was negatively associated with depression; internal control was negatively associated with depression and anxiety, but not with PTSD or cortisol. As coping strategies are modifiable, they should be the focus of workplace interventions in order to mitigate risk of distress as consequence of employment.