Understanding Subjective Stress in Law Enforcement Officers: Considerations for Clinical and Forensic Mental Health Assessment

The field of research involving stress in law enforcement is replete with data. However, much of the research available is quantitatively based. Limited research explores the experience of stress in law enforcement officers from the perspective and understanding of the law enforcement officer, directly. The research further does not often include statements about how the law enforcement officer has been impacted by the stress. This research bridges this gap by evaluating the construct of stress from the perspective of the law enforcement officer. Qualitative Content Analysis was used to evaluate this phenomenon and themes allowed to emerge about the data. The culmination of this research study is intended to help mental health professionals understand the experience of stress in law enforcement officers through the lens of the law enforcement officer and to provide recommendations on how to approach the assessment of stress in this population.