Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Qumodo, London, United Kingdom.
PLoS One. 2020 Nov 25;15(11):e0242808. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242808. eCollection 2020.
This study aimed to extend previous research on the experiences and factors that impact law enforcement personnel when working with distressing materials such as child sexual abuse content. A sample of 22 law enforcement personnel working within one law enforcement organisation in England, United Kingdom participated in anonymous semi-structured interviews. Results were explored thematically and organised in the following headings: "Responses to the material", "Impact of working with distressing evidence", "Personal coping strategies" and "Risks and mitigating factors". Law enforcement professionals experienced heightened affective responses to personally relevant material, depictions of violence, victims' displays of emotions, norm violations and to various mediums. These responses dampened over time due to desensitisation. The stress experienced from exposure to the material sometimes led to psychological symptoms associated with Secondary Traumatic Stress. Job satisfaction, self-care activities, the coping strategies used when viewing evidence, detachment from work outside working hours, social support and reducing exposure to the material were found to mediate law enforcement professionals' resilience. Exposure to distressing material and the risks associated with this exposure were also influenced by specific organisational procedures implemented as a function of the funding available and workload. Recommendations for individual and organisational practices to foster resilience emerged from this research. These recommendations are relevant to all organisations where employees are required to view distressing content.
本研究旨在扩展先前关于执法人员在处理儿童性虐待内容等令人痛苦的材料时的经验和影响因素的研究。来自英国英格兰一个执法机构的 22 名执法人员参与了匿名半结构化访谈。结果按照以下标题进行了主题探索和组织：“对材料的反应”、“处理痛苦证据的影响”、“个人应对策略”和“风险和缓解因素”。执法专业人员对与个人相关的材料、暴力描述、受害者的情绪表现、规范违反以及各种媒介表现出更高的情感反应。由于脱敏，这些反应随着时间的推移而减弱。接触材料所带来的压力有时会导致与二次创伤性压力相关的心理症状。工作满意度、自我保健活动、查看证据时使用的应对策略、工作时间外与工作的分离、社会支持以及减少接触材料被发现可以调节执法专业人员的适应能力。令人痛苦的材料的暴露以及与之相关的风险也受到特定组织程序的影响，这些程序是根据可用资金和工作量实施的。本研究提出了促进适应力的个人和组织实践建议。这些建议与所有需要员工查看令人痛苦内容的组织都相关。
