NCJ Number
182143
Date Published
January 1999
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This study explored the impact of the HeartMath stress and emotional self-management training on a group of police officers from Santa Clara County, Calif.
Abstract
The training provided practical techniques designed to reduce stress in the moment, improve physiological and emotional balance, increase mental clarity, and enhance performance and quality of life. Areas assessed included physical health and vitality, emotional well-being, coping and interpersonal skills, work performance, workplace effectiveness and climate, family relationships, and physiological and psychological recalibration following acute stress. In addition, physiological measurements were obtained to determine the real-time cardiovascular impact of acutely stressful situations encountered in simulated police calls used in police training, as well as to identify officers at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. A total of 65 participants (64 sworn officers and 1 city manager) from seven police agencies in Santa Clara County were recruited for the study. Subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=29) that was to receive the HeartMath self-management training during the study and a waiting control group (n=36) that was to receive the training once the study was completed. Data collection occurred at three time points in the study: baseline, at 5 weeks, and at 16 weeks. The findings suggest that the integration of effective self-management programs in police training could ultimately improve officers' long-term health and emotional well-being and increase work effectiveness. 1 table, 18 figures, and 58 references