PSYC 2320 Mental Wellness for Law Enforcement
Careers in law enforcement present unique psychological and social challenges. In this course, the student will explore the societal, organizational, systemic, operational, and personal stressors faced by many who work in law enforcement. The student will examine the effects of both chronic and acute stressors, including challenges to interpersonal relationships, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The student will also explore both maladaptive coping strategies, which can impair psychological and physiological health, and adaptive coping strategies, which can promote wellness and increase resiliency for themselves, their families, coworkers, and the law-enforcement community. A student earning credit in this course may not earn credit in CRMJ 2320. (3 lect.)
Major Topics
- Psychosocial context of modern American policing
- Stressors unique to law enforcement careers
- Effects of acute and chronic stress
- Shift work and sleep disorders
- Isolation, depression, and suicide
- Maladaptive coping strategies including the potential for disruption of interpersonal and professional relationships, substance use, high-risk behaviors, flash anger and officer involved domestic violence
- Causes and consequences of isolation, depression and suicide
- Adaptive coping strategies and techniques to promote psychological well-being
- Development of an institutional culture of resilience and wellness
Outcomes
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
Examine the psychosocial context of modern American policing within societal, organizational, systemic, operational, and personal domains.
Compare acute vs. chronic stressors and differential effects.
Describe shift-work circadian rhythm disruptions and other causes of sleep disorders related to law enforcement.
Examine the causes and consequences of isolation, depression, and suicide.
Discuss the consequences of maladaptive coping strategies.
Apply adaptive strategies and techniques for psychological well-being.
Describe strategies and techniques for strengthening an institutional culture of wellness and resilience.