NCJ Number
175455
Journal
Policing Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: 1997 Pages: 698-715
Date Published
1997
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article presents a model that identifies the impact of social roles and psychological susceptibility on the potential for police suicide; the model is based on work socialization processes that predispose police officers to a specific behavioral role as the principal strategy for dealing with life strains.
Abstract
The model posits two factors associated with the police role may increase the potential for suicide: (1) the use of dichotomized thinking when dealing with stressful situations or problem resolution; and (2) the diminished use of multiple roles to deal with strained social relationships. The model proposes acquisition and maintenance of the police role restrict cognitive flexibility and the use of other life roles by police officers, thus impairing their ability to deal with psychological stress. As a result, the potential for suicide among police officers may increase. The impact of the police role, however, may be but one of many circumstances that increase the potential for suicide. Regardless of how police suicide rates compare with other populations, the fact remains that suicides occur in police work and police suicide prevention should be an important goal of police departments. 99 references and 1 figure