Cuffed together: a study on how law enforcement work impacts the officer's spouse

Research has shown that law enforcement officer spouses or significant others (LEOS) are susceptible to secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, in addition to occupational stress caused by: an irregular work schedule, personality changes, bringing work stress home, the stigma attached to seeking mental health services, and higher alcohol use to cope with stress. LEOS experience psychological and physiological stress because of the exposure to occupational stress, often vicarious trauma or STS, through their interpersonal relationship with their officer. The James Lange theory of emot ion explains how brain chemistry contributes to behavior and how trauma is processed. This study sought to fill the gap in literature by identifying how law enforcement work impacts LEOS by using a mixed method, cross-sectional, research design to identify occupational stressors, coping mechanisms, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by collecting data using a survey and focus groups to further understand the survey results. Of the participants (N = 171), 81% described themselves as Caucasian, 98% of respondents identified as female, and 59% reported affiliation with a state entity. Scores ranged from 38% to 69% of participants experiencing all of the measured items of stress, and using negative coping mechanisms two times as much as positive coping mechanisms. Focus group data supported survey results with four emerging themes: adaptation to life as a LEOS, stressors, secondary trauma, and coping mechanisms. LEOS reported that 70% of respondents had exposure to critical incidents. Literature has shown that women report higher amounts of psychological stress putting them at greater risk of feeling stress after hearing about a critical incident. LEO have shown the propensity to minimize manifestations of stress and this may be true of LEOS resulting in low scores. LEOS experience elevated stress at levels close to the same, some times more, than the LEO, contributing to the use of negative coping strategies to manage the strain. LEOS are at risk for experiencing long term physical and mental health concerns resulting from ongoing exposure to heightened levels of stress. This study indicates a need for a trauma informed approach and/or cognitive behavioral therapy to address trauma and the distorted thinking patterns that occur over a long career in law enforcement. Peer support is supported throughout literature as one of the most effective modalities for treating first responders and their families.