The Contribution of Adverse Childhood Experiences to Work-Related Stressors among Law Enforcement Officers

Abstract

Abstract Objective: explore the role of law enforcement officers (LEOs) experiences of early adversity on work-related stress. Data/methods: LEOs were invited to participate in a data collection effort connected to a marketed LEO prevention toolkit on domestic violence (n = 247). Linear regression models were run to identify variables associated with work-related stress. Variables such as demographics, social behaviours, and other job-related factors were controlled for during analysis. Results: mean Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) score of sample participants = 4.64; 95% of participants reported experiencing at least one ACE. ACEs are an important factor in later officer stress but is not significant when post-traumatic stress (PTS) is introduced to the regression models. ACEs, PST, and alcohol use are main explanatory variables of interest. Conclusions/implications: Out of our main variables of interest, ACEs were associated with LEO work-related stress, but the impact was blunted by PTS. PTS remained the only statistically significant variable associated with LEO work-related stress at the completion of analysis. ACEs have long been associated with development of PTS; thus, future research may explore how ACEs contribute to LEOs development of PTS.