Examining the application of positive social based informal emotional aid to a police officer and the role of family members during a period of emotional unwellness

Despite the awareness and vast amount of research conducted by domestic and international law enforcement agencies acknowledging the role of police officers and the high levels of stressor that impact their personal lives, little was known about the potential treatment approaches that involved the application of positive social based informal emotional aid to a police officer and the role of family members during a period of emotional unwellness. The objective of this thematic study was to examine the application of socially based informal support given by family members of police officers aged over 18 years, to their Australian police officer family member.
This thesis focused on the role of families during a period of emotional unwellness suffered by their police officer family member. Study data was collected through semi structured interviews from family members of serving (sworn) Australian Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) aged over 18 years (N=51). Family members (participants) of current Australian police officers (sworn members) lived experiences were examined, clarified and recorded in detail to investigate how, when, who and socially based informal treatment approaches offered. These insights provided by the family member of a police officer was able to divert the police officer suffering an episode of emotional unwellness from more formal organisational mechanisms and responses. Thus, avoiding more complex mental health concerns and perceived occupational injustices that often led to stigmatisation and poorly suited LEA endorsed treatments for individuals.
An analysis of interview datum suggested that the experiences of family members of the police officer, including their struggles and complications, challenged the efficacy of current government and organisational-led treatment options requiring a need to change and consider treatment options that include family members of police officers. Through the integration of social constructs that covered language and shared meanings, participants stories added nuance to understand how police officers and their trusted family members were able to provide positive, informal, socially based interventions in a non-judgemental environment to guide and elicit improvements in the wellness of their police officer family member.
This study was part of a growing body of research on wellness and well-being practices by Australian law enforcement agencies, as well as the state and federal government bodies. In using a largely under-researched data source (family members of police officers), their lived experience in this study stimulates future research needs. The thesis results strengthens the links between research and policy through the use of data findings. These results informs family members of police officers and provides police organisations, policymakers and practitioners within the law enforcement arena an alternate inclusive pathway to reduce the impacts of emotional unwellness through the development of sound, evidence-based policies.