Burnout and Post-traumatic Stress Disorders in Police Officers: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

AbstractThe occupational environment of law enforcement officers, characterised by high-stress situations and critical societal roles, necessitates continuous monitoring of their mental health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the associations and impacts of burnout and PTSD among police officers, shedding light on how these conditions are influenced by evolving job demands and societal expectations. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from January 2000 to January 2024. Studies involving active-duty police officers that assessed burnout and PTSD using validated tools were included. A risk of bias was assessed using an eight-criteria scale, focusing on methodological strengths and weaknesses across studies. We analysed data from 10 studies comprising 4572 officers worldwide. The results indicated variable relationships between burnout, PTSD, and their impacts on occupational functioning, with significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 > 75%). Despite the variability, there was a consistent trend showing that occupational stressors are linked to both burnout and PTSD, suggesting a pervasive influence of job-related demands on officer mental health. The findings reveal a complex interaction between burnout and PTSD in police officers, influenced by both individual and occupational factors. This interplay highlights the need for interventions that are sensitive to cultural and contextual nuances of policing. Future strategies should prioritise individual, organisational, and societal dimensions to reduce the psychological burden and enhance resilience among officers.