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The Incidence of post traumatic stress disorder among police officers

This study investigates the relationship between traumatic events and PTSD among police officers in
KwaZulu-Natal and the mediating effects of coping and social support.

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of PTSD among police officers and whether
coping and social support structures act as mediating variables in the stress-illness realtionship. In order to achieve this aim an assessment battery containing Biographical Checklist, the Ways of Coping Checklist, The Index of Social Support and the Dutch Post Traumatic Stress Scale was distributed to a sample of police officers in Kwazulu-Natal.

The findings indicate a high incidence of PTSD, among policemen although no significant
relationship was found between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD. Further, emotionĀ­ focused
coping strategies, namely, self-blame and wishful thinking, were found to be
predictive of PTSD. No significant relationship was established between the availability of

social support and satisfaction with social support and PTSD. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/895
Date01 January 1999
CreatorsStromnes, Justina
ContributorsVisser, P. J.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Format1 online resource (166 leaves)

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