M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The high incidence of suicide and medical boardings for psychological reasons in the South African Police Service necessitated an investigation into whether officers who seek medical help have been exposed to more traumatic violence than those who do not seek assistance. A Group of policemen who had sought psychiatric help was compared with a control group of officers who had not sought assistance in terms of the nature and seriousness of posttraumatic stress disorder. depression. anxiety and other stress factors. The experimental group revealed significantly higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder. depression and anxiety than the control group. This was related to more exposure to situations of personal threat and a predisposition to trait anxiety. Other negative life experiences did not have a meaningful impact. Of importance is the fact that the control group that did not seek assistance. in comparison with the general population. nonetheless displayed significant levels of posttraumatic stress disorder. This group however responded more stable family relationships and social support than the officers seeking psychiatric help. These variables may play a moderating role in the prevention of psychiatric symptomatology in members of the South African Police Service who are exposed to traumatic stress.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:10656 |
| Date | 14 April 2014 |
| Creators | Van Niekerk, D.A. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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