Citation

Chopko BA, Palmieri PA, Adams RE. J. Loss Trauma 2013; 18(5): 482-497.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15325024.2012.719340

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Law enforcement officers are often reported to frequently abuse alcohol due to occupational stress. However, few studies have examined alcohol use among U.S. police officers. This study investigated the prevalence of alcohol use and the relation between alcohol use and amount of subjective work-related traumatic distress, work-related but nontraumatic stress, personal relationship stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and age among law enforcement officers (N = 193) working in a midwestern state. Multiple regression analyses showed that greater subjective posttraumatic distress and PTSD avoidance symptoms were the most significant predictors of greater alcohol use among officers. Implications for practice are discussed.