Trauma exposure and posttraumatic symptoms in Iraqi police recruits

ABSTRACT

When civilians exposed to high levels of traumatic stress take on security roles, posttraumatic symptoms may affect their work functioning and vulnerability to the severe stress of security work. We aimed to investigate levels of trauma exposure and posttraumatic symptoms in police recruits from a high-conflict area (Iraq) relative to police from a culturally similar, low-conflict area (Jordan). Iraqi police recruits reported significantly higher levels of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative symptoms than Jordanian police. Iraqi recruits and Jordanian police both reported high levels of current life stress. Among Iraqi police recruits, trauma exposure and current life stress were both significantly related to PTSD and dissociation symptoms. Results indicate that those in training for security positions in high violence areas should be screened for posttraumatic stress symptoms and provided appropriate support and mental health care.

KEYWORDS:

• Trauma
• war
• Iraq
• police
• stress

Notes on contributors

Tori Snell is a clinical psychologist in the UK and a board member of the Children and War Foundation.

Darryl Etter is a clinical health psychologist at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System.

Eve Carlson is a clinical psychologist and a researcher with the National Center for PTSD and the US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

Shannon McCaslin is a clinical psychologist and a researcher with the National Center for PTSD and the US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

ORCID

Darryl W Etter http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1997-3606