Factors Influencing Successful Coping among Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Personnel: Recruiting for Resilience – A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Successful coping is important for staff well-being, retention and reducing absenteeism, especially for those employed in high emotional labour jobs such as crime scene investigation (CSI). Antecedents of successful coping can include self-efficacy, locus of control, optimism, resilience, and self-esteem. However, a dearth of literature exists attaining to the importance of emotion-regulation and mindfulness for successful coping in these roles, despite evidence revealing that both are conducive to better well-being. Additionally, few studies with CSI personnel have employed a mixed methods approach, which enables exploration of lived experiences in addition to survey analysis. Here, we recruited 84 CSI employees and 88 students undertaking a degree enabling employment within CSI, to comprehensively explore factors predicting successful coping. 75 CSI employees and 88 students took part in the quantitative aspect, where questionnaire data pertaining to the above well-being factors, as well as depression, anxiety and stress, were collected. In the concurrent qualitative aspect of the project, nine officers employed in CSI roles were recruited. Semi-structured interviews more deeply explored experiences of resilience and coping, including how the CSI personnel managed their occupation. Quantitative analyses revealed that, for CSI personnel, the greatest predictors of successful coping were resilience and emotional regulation. Compared to students, CSI personnel further reported greater self-esteem, optimism, coping self-efficacy, mindfulness and resilience; and fewer difficulties in emotion regulation, depression, anxiety and stress. Inductive qualitative analyses also revealed resilience and emotion regulation to be key coping factors; but additionally, that finding meaning in work/collegiate support enabled successful coping. Potential implications of findings are discussed and include pre-employment screening for emotion regulation and resilience, and inclusion of such in CSI training/CPD curricula.

Higher physical activity level and perceived social support is associated with less psychological distress in people with anxiety

“…In line with the present findings, PA has been also reported to be inversely correlated with successful coping and self-esteem in adults with asthma ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022e ), the same was found for these two variables and also for stress in adults with depression ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ), in adults with cancerous tumours ( Franco-García et al, 2023 ) and in a population of informal caregivers ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ). Successful coping ability ( Craven et al, 2022 ; Dahlstrand et al, 2021 ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022e ), stress ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ) and self-steem ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ) seem to be improved by performing PA, which supports the available research that suggests the potential of PA on the prevention of depression, anxiety and other mental disorders ( Harvey et al, 2010 ; Herring, Lindheimer & O’Connor, 2014 ; Ji et al, 2022 ; Kandola et al, 2018 ; Lautenschlager et al, 2004 ; Schuch et al, 2019 ; Stubbs et al, 2017 ; Wijndaele et al, 2007 ). Despite the correlations found among PAL and GHQ-12 items and dimensions, and the available research supporting that performing greater PA is associated with a better mental state, cause–effect relationships cannot be stablished between performing larger PA and a better state in the dimensions evaluated by GHQ-12, including mental health.…”

Identifying the critical skillset of top crime scene examiners: Why this matters and why agencies should develop top performers

“…• Use of workplace humor as protective factors for stress (Vivona, 2014), but only if humor is used in certain settings and tactfully (Sollie et al, 2017) • Optimistic outlook on life and approach to problems (Craven et al, 2022) Cognitive abilities…”

“…• Strong internal locus of control (Craven et al, 2022) • High-level of self-reflection (Sollie et al, 2017) Work orientation • Good time-management…”

“…a Skill sets are listed alphabetically as they are all given equal weight in terms of importance. b Original findings from Kelty et al ( , 2017 The empirical studies that met inclusion in this review are: Adderley & Bond, 2008;Almazrouei et al, 2020;Chang & Tsai, 2022;Craven et al, 2022;de Gruijter et al, 2017;de Roo et al, 2022;Gardner et al, 2019;Illes et al, 2019;Kelty & Gordon, 2015;Kruse, 2023;Mousseau et al, 2019;Mrevlje, 2015;Sievers, 2020;Sollie et al, 2017;Tehrani, 2023;Vivona, 2014;Wyatt & Wilson-Kovacs, 2019.…”

“… e The empirical studies that met inclusion in this review are: Adderley & Bond, 2008; Almazrouei et al, 2020; Chang & Tsai, 2022; Chowdhury, 2021; Craven et al, 2022; de Gruijter et al, 2017; de Roo et al, 2022; Gardner et al, 2019; Illes et al, 2019; Kelty & Gordon, 2015; Kelty et al, 2012; Kruse, 2023; Mousseau et al, 2019; Mrevlje, 2015; Sievers, 2020; Sollie et al, 2017; Tehrani, 2023; Vivona, 2014; Wyatt & Wilson‐Kovacs, 2019. …”