Predictors of Police Suicide Ideation

Abstract

Further inquiry into processes that lead to suicide in the police occupation is necessary. Suicide ideation in police officers and possible correlates associated with such ideation is explored in this paper. The focus was on psychologically traumatic police work experiences, the development of posttraumatic stress (PTSD) in officers, and the inordinate use of alcohol associated with this condition. The impact of these occupationally based factors and their association with suicide ideation has not yet been fully explored. Results suggest that certain traumatic police work exposures increase the risk of high level PTSD symptoms, which subsequently increase the risk of high alcohol use and suicide ideation. The combined impact of PTSD and increased alcohol use led to a ten-fold increase risk for suicide ideation.

Social and Stress-related Influences of Police Officers’ Alcohol Consumption

“…Violanti (2001), drawing on the conclusions of Bonifacio (1991), found that alcohol consumption was most prevalent among young officers and concluded that it was inspired by the physical and psychological stress occasioned by academy training, which developed only temporary coping mechanisms. Later, Violanti (2004) correlated alcohol consumption, post traumatic stress disorder arising from on-the-job homicides, suicides, and inexperience among police officers, finding that the confluence of these phenomena was most notable in young officers.…”

Shift‐work and suicide ideation among police officers

“…Previous evidence indicates that police officers are at increased risk for suicide [Violanti et al, 1998;Kposowa, 1999;Charbonneau, 2000;Violanti, 2004]. On the individual level, depression, posttraumatic stress, and suicide ideation are considered risk factors for suicide [Kessler et al, 1999].…”

“…Berg et al [2003] conducted a nationwide study on suicidal ideation and attempts among 3,272 Norwegian police and found that 24% felt that life was not worth living, 6.4% seriously considered suicide, and 0.7% attempted suicide; serious suicidal ideation was mainly associated with personal and family problems. Violanti [2004] found that certain traumatic police work exposures were associated with an increased risk of high level posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which subsequently was linked with increased risk of alcohol use and suicide ideation. The combined impact of PTSD and increased alcohol use led to a tenfold increase in risk of suicide ideation.…”

Suicide in Police Work: Exploring Potential Contributing Influences

“…Serious suicide ideation was mainly attributed to personal and family problems. Violanti (2004) found that certain traumatic police work exposures increased the risk of having a high level of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which subsequently increased the risk of alcohol use and suicide ideation. The combined impact of PTSD and increased alcohol use led to a ten-fold increased risk of suicide ideation.…”