Changing personality patterns of police officers.

Abstract

Twenty-five police officers were evaluated at or shortly after their recruitment and again 2 years later. Eleven of the officers were available for follow-up 4 years after recruitment. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores showed significant changes over time, suggesting increasing somatic symptoms, anxiety, and alcohol vulnerability. The increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse was the strongest finding, and by the 4th year of service, mean MacAndrews Alcoholism Scale scores were within the critical range. Results are discussed in terms of the peculiar stresses of police work and the need for periodic revaluation to prevent stress-associated problems and also initiate early intervention programs.In recognition that police work represents both a highly stressful and a relatively unique set of activities, the 1967 President's Commission on Law Enforcement, as well as subsequent authors (e.g., Beutler, Storm, Kirkish, Scogin, & Gaines, 1985;Burkhart, 1980;Inwald, 1985;Scogin & Beutler, 1986), emphasized the importance of selecting police candidates who are well adjusted and have good coping skills. It is not sufficient to simply screen out those applicants who have diagnosable psychopathologies. Police officers work in a unique social system that requires the ability to adapt to unusual demands. Officers must be willing to expose themselves to danger on a daily basis and to confront life-threatening circumstances. They must be willing, on one hand, to comply with a superior's demands even when disagreeable and, on the other, to withstand the angry efforts of offenders to control them. The need to balance contradictory roles while maintaining a high degree of interpersonal sensitivity LARRY E. BEUTLER received his PhD from the University of Nebraska in 1970. He is currently professor of psychiatry and psychology, chief psychologist, and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Arizona, Department of Psychiatry. He is also an associate editor of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and is the author of several books in the area of psychotherapy and the prediction of change. PAUL D. NUSSBAUM, MA, is a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of Arizona. His training is conducted at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center and includes work in neuropsychology, sleep disorders, treatment of sexual dysfunction, forensic psychology, and group psychotherapy. Special interests include research in memory, dementia of the Alzheimer's type, and depression and the elderly.

Negative self-regard at work – Frustrating the need for self-enhancement and self-consistency

“…As such these findings are in line with the conclusion drawn by Beutler, Nussbaum, and Meredith (1988) that "police service is associated with adverse psychological changes among officers" (p. 506) and those of Patterson (1989), and Violanti and Marshall (1983) who noted a shift toward a more cynical attitude toward life among police officers.…”

“…Police work has been linked to a number of negative consequences for police officers including a higher than average prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, suicide, alcoholism, and divorce as well as high rates of aggression, anxiety (Beutler, Nussbaum, & Meredith, 1988), lowered self-worth (Stradling, Crowe, & Tuohy, 1993); deviant behaviour and burnout (Violanti & Marshall, 1983;Wallace, Roberg, & Allen, 1985); emotional exhaustion and depersonalization (Burke, 1993;Gaines & Jermier, 1983); work alienation and detachment (Burke, 1987(Burke, , 1993; pessimism, neuroticism and low self-confidence (Pestonjee, 1992); moodiness, depression and emotional numbness (Burke, 1987;Hageman, 1982;Sigler & Wilson, 1988;Nel & Steyn, 1997).…”

The relationship of work stressors and emotional support to strain in police officers

“…A balanced description of police work that emphasizes the contribution of both administrative pressure and physical danger to stress is provided by Beutler, Nussbaum, & Meredith (1988).…”

Personality, depressive symptoms and prior trauma exposure of new recruits at two Metropolitan Police Service academies in South Africa

“…The increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse was the strongest finding, and by the fourth year of service, mean MacAndrews Alcoholism Scale scores were within the critical range. 19 Other important sociodemographic variables are noted in the literature as risk factors for the development of both depression and PTSD, including family psychiatric histories (e.g. alcoholism and suicides) and prior contact with psychological services.…”

“…A study which evaluated police officers at recruitment, or shortly thereafter, and again 2 years later, showed significant changes using the MMPI-2. 19 There were suggestions of increasing somatic symptoms, anxiety and alcohol vulnerability. The increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse was the strongest finding, and by the fourth year of service, mean MacAndrews Alcoholism Scale scores were within the critical range.…”