The Relationship Between the Adjustment of Australian Police Officers and Their Partners

Abstract

This study examined the impact of police officers' trauma on the psychological adjustment of their partners. One hundred and three Victorian police officers and their spousal partners completed measures assessing trauma exposure, PTSD symptomatology (PCL) and general psychological wellbeing (GHQ-28). Partners were hypothesised to demonstrate patterns of psychological adjustment similar to the officers. Based on PCL scores, nearly one third of the officers and almost 14% of the partners demonstrated PTSD. Consistent with hypotheses, regression analyses identified that, after controlling for partners' prior trauma exposure, characteristics of officer psychological adjustment — particularly avoidance-numbing symptoms — were significant predictors of poorer psychological adjustment in their partners. Theoretical explanations for such associations are discussed, especially with reference to the theories for the systemic effects of trauma, and suggestions for further research are proposed.