In response to the increase in anned robberies to banks and building societies during the 1980s and 1990s, a training programme was developed within one building society to buttress employees against the potentially hannful psychological consequences of being involved in an anned raid. The 'Coping With Robberies' training programme consisted of a package of practical, procedural and psychological coping techniques based on Meichenbaum's (1985) 'Stress Inoculation Training' principles utilising video, workbook and discussion formats. It was delivered over four months to 4,000 employees of the Society via monthly, branch-based training sessions. The programme was evaluated using a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology to determine whether the training would improve employees' predicted confidence that they would cope in a raid and reduce their symptoms of post -traumatic stress should they be raided. In addition, aspects of both the individual and the training were assessed to investigate which of these aspects were related to confidence and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The training improved confidence, employees felt empowered by the training and viewed it almost entirely positively. However, for those employees subsequently raided, there was no evidence that the training reduced symptoms of psychological distress in either the immediate or longer term. Other personal and environmental factors were related to confidence and post-traumatic stress symptoms, most notably degree of involvement in the raid, job position/role in the Society, social support and coping style. Although levels of initial distress post-raid were high, the majority of those involved recovered quickly.The implications for training employees exposed to the potential for criminal assault are that the majority will appreciate and benefit from both procedural and simple psychological techniques for use during a raid but will be less appreciative of attempts to be taught anxiety management techniques for post-raid stress. Although the majority of those involved in raids will recover from their initial distress, a small minority of employees are very vulnerable to psychological ill health as a consequence of being involved in a raid. This group should be given the opportunity for specialised one-to-one training and therapy to enable them to cope should they be raided.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:362531 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Richards, David Arthur |
| Publisher | Leeds Beckett University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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