Citation

Lucia DG, Halloran MJ. J. Police Crim. Psychol. 2020; 35(1): 35-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s11896-019-09341-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

With minimal research on mental health program efficacy in the law enforcement service, the aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of experienced mental health program managers on the efficacy of mental health programs designed to address the stress and mental health issues faced by Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). A further aim of the research was to investigate internal impediments (e.g., LEO culture and leadership attitudes) that affect the necessary openness and collaboration needed to develop accessible and effective programs. Through a qualitative approach via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the research addressed these aims via semi-structured interviews with five LEO program managers. Whereas the findings of this study are consistent with previous research on the impact of mental health stigmas and barriers to LEO program access, the research provided unique and rich, first-hand insights about the challenges program managers face in implementing and evaluating LEO mental health programs. Moreover, the findings of the current research and the framework of program evaluation employed in this study are suitable resources to improve the development, implementation, and efficacy of programs to address mental health issues and behavioral problems in the LEO profession.

Language: en