Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of mental disorders among Canadian police officers, treatment-seeking is lower than expected. Toward understanding how mental health services can be tailored for higher utilization by police, we aim to uncover factors that contribute to stigma and barriers to use, specifically within the context of group dynamics between officers. Nine semi-structured focus groups and one interview were conducted with civilian and non-civilian police service employees in Ontario, Canada. Data were coded to allow for themes to emerge from the transcripts. Participant voices ( n=33) revealed the presence of three characteristics of Janis’ groupthink: high group cohesion, conditions that create high stress and low self-esteem, and operating under directive leadership; each creating pressures that serve as barriers to treatment-seeking [Janis IL (1972) Victims of Groupthink: A Psychological Study of Foreign-Policy Decisions And Fiascoes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin]. Groupthink offers a potential explanation about why police, despite a high prevalence of mental disorders and access to mental health services, do not seek treatment as expected. Janis’s theory of groupthink is supported by police officer dialogue in focus groups. Understanding police group interactions can better inform prevention and treatment programs, ultimately leading to better access and use of existing mental health services, a reduction in stigma associated with treatment-seeking, and a healthier police workforce.
Highlights
The psychological strain inherent to the police profession and the effect of this strain on officers have come to the forefront of police research (Crank, 2004; Duxbury et al, 2015; Rabe-Hemp, 2009; Ricciardelli, 2018)
We explore the intersection of groupthink and mental health, integrated approaches, and in particular the social identity maintenance (SIM) model of groupthink among sworn and civilian members of a Canadian municipal police service to provide insight into the infrastructure shaping participant treatment-seeking
We look at how group processes may encourage the stigmatization of mental disorders and the perception that voicing support for treatment-seeking for mental wellbeing poses a threat to positive group image and such actions become barred by groupthink
Summary
The psychological strain inherent to the police profession and the effect of this strain on officers have come to the forefront of police research (Crank, 2004; Duxbury et al, 2015; Rabe-Hemp, 2009; Ricciardelli, 2018). To truly serve police there is a paramount need to understand the barriers to treatment-seeking behaviors (Reavley et al, 2018; Ricciardelli et al, 2018) and the scope of the stigma around treatment-seeking (Edwards and Kotera, 2020; Ricciardelli et al, 2018), and to include the voice and views of officers in shaping solutions. With such knowledge can systemic barriers (e.g., concerns about anonymity and career impacts) (Fox et al, 2012) that may prevent the creation, integration, and adoption of effective assistance and treatment programs be addressed
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