Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are exposed to significant stressors, elevating their risk for aggression and excessive use of force. Such dysfunctional stress reactivity can lead to devastating consequences for their community, including unjustified shootings, severe beatings, and fatal chokings. It can also lead to serious consequences for the LEOs, including elevated incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, alcohol misuse, depression, and suicide. A recent meta-analysis of LEO stress reduction programs found little evidence to demonstrate that such approaches are effective, highlighting the urgent need for preventive interventions targeting the stress inherent to policing. Mindfulness training is a promising approach with high- stress populations that has been shown effective in reducing stress and increasing resilience. Our recent pilot feasibility study (R21AT008854) established initial feasibility, acceptability, and adherence to procedures in a single-site RCT assessing Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training (MBRT), a preventive intervention designed to improve LEO mental health and resilience, and reduce aggression and excessive use of force. The R21 data suggest physiological mechanisms and potential clinical benefit in a sample of LEOs. Relative to waitlist control, MBRT participants showed improvements in stress reactivity, aggression, burnout, occupational stress, sleep disturbance, and psychological flexibility. Implemented at two sites, the proposed study is designed to establish optimal protocols and procedures for a future full-scale, multi-site trial assessing effects of MBRT versus an attention control (Stress Management Education) and a no-intervention control, on physiological, behavioral, and psychological outcomes. To prepare for this future clinical trial, this study will: a) enhance efficiency of recruitment, engagement and retention; b) optimize lab, assessment, and data management procedures; c) optimize intervention training and ensure fidelity to intervention protocols; and d) assess participant experience and optimize outcome measures across sites. The long-term objective of this line of research is to develop an intervention that will reduce violence and increase resilience among LEOs, as well as yield significant benefits for communities and residents they serve.

Public Health Relevance

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are exposed to significant stressors, elevating their risk for aggression and excessive use of force, as well as mental health consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, alcohol misuse, depression, and suicide. The proposed study will identify, optimize and refine best clinical and research practices across two sites to ensure success in a future multisite efficacy trial assessing effects of Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training on physiological, behavioral, and psychological outcomes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
3U01AT009841-01S1
Application #
9829237
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1)
Program Officer
White, Della
Project Start
2018-09-21
Project End
2022-08-31
Budget Start
2019-01-23
Budget End
2019-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Pacific University
Department
Psychology
Type
Graduate Schools
DUNS #
055978035
City
Forest Grove
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97116