Police Work and Family Stress 103Suggestions for Future Research
The subject of police stress encompasses a large array of topics and information. As a
result, many opportunities for future research in this area are available. Police officers'
use of alcohol, for example, has been blamed on the rigid structure associated with
the police department as well as with often faulty coping mechanisms such as
police cynicism. However, others argue that it is within the individual alone that
such habits develop (J. M. Violanti et al., 1985).
As discussed, the use of a firearm is judged by many officers as an extremely
stressful event. However, a small percentage of officers actually have engaged in
such behavior. Future research is needed in order to determine the psychological
ramifications associated with the occurrence (or perceived view of the occurrence)
of such an event.
Future research is also needed in the area of assaulted police officers. Rela-
tively few studies exist examining issues such as attitudes toward the perpetrator,
self-esteem reductions associated with being physically injured, attitudes toward
counseling and psychological treatment, and the psychology of anticipating physi-
cal confrontations. If officers were able to be trained to anticipate the intentions of
a would-be attacker, less injury might result.
Research in the area of police suicide is, by comparison, an area in dire need of
additional research. Studies examining the impact of suicide on family members,
friends, the community, criminals, and other police officers is clearly lacking. More
importantly, research dealing with teaching police officers more effective psycho-
logical coping mechanisms is needed. Also, research regarding the inherent elements
of police work and how to reduce their detrimental psychological impact is needed
in order to help reduce the rate of police suicides.
Police work is by no means a stress-free job. A myriad of potential stressors
plague the officer daily. This section attempts not only to enumerate, but to explain
some of these sources of police stress and their consequences. Police officers are
not immune to the effects of psychological and physical manifestations of stress. A
clear understanding is needed in order to allow law enforcement agencies and the
officers themselves to function to the best of their abilities.
POLICE WORK AND FAMILY STRESS
Introduction
The precarious nature of police work not only affects police officers, but their
families as well. There is ample research suggesting that the job demands of police
officers can have an adverse effect on their psychological as well as physical well-
being. This is evident when looking at issues such as police stress, police suicide,
alcoholism, and cynicism. Based on research of the police profession and the extreme