@article{ref1,
title="Post-traumatic stress symptoms in an elite unit of Brazilian police officers: prevalence and impact on psychosocial functioning and on physical and mental health",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2007",
author="Maia, Deborah B. and Marmar, C. R. and Metzler, Thomas and Nóbrega, Augusta and Berger, W. and Mendlowicz, Mauro V. and Coutinho, Evandro S. and Figueira, Ivan",
volume="97",
number="1-3",
pages="241-245",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Frequent exposure to traumatic situations put police officers under an increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The goals of this study were to determine the current prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in Brazilian police officers and to compare groups with and without PTSS in terms of associated morbidity. METHODS: Police officers from an elite unit (n=157) were asked to fill out a socio-demographic questionnaire, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version. The latter's scores were used to establish the diagnoses of &quot;full PTSD&quot; and of &quot;partial PTSD&quot;. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of &quot;full PTSD&quot; and &quot;partial PTSD&quot; were 8.9% and 16%, respectively. Compared with the &quot;no PTSD&quot; group, police officers with &quot;full PTSD&quot; were five times more likely to be divorced (21.6% vs. 4.3%, p=0.008), felt that their physical health was poorer (64.3% vs. 6%, p<0.001), had more medical consultations during the last 12 months [2.00 (+/-1.62) vs. 1.09 (+/-1.42), p=0.03] and reported more often lifetime suicidal ideation (35.7% vs. 5.2%, p=0.002). LIMITATIONS: The sample was relatively small. A screening tool was employed instead of a semi-structured interview. The cross-sectional design is unsuitable for ascertaining cause-effect relations. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD prevalence in our sample was comparable to those reported for North American and Dutch policemen. The presence of &quot;full PTSD&quot; was associated with evidences of considerable morbidity. These findings may contribute to the development of effective policies aimed at the prevention and treatment of PTSD in law enforcement agents.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2006.06.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2006.06.004"
}