@article{ref1,
title="The mental health of officials who regularly examine child sexual abuse material: strategies for harm mitigation",
journal="BMC psychiatry",
year="2023",
author="Mitchell, Kimberly J. and Gewirtz-Meydan, Ateret and Finkelhor, David and O'Brien, Jennifer E. and Jones, Lisa M.",
volume="23",
number="1",
pages="e940-e940",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The current study aims to better understand the mental health and subjective well-being of investigators and forensic examiners exposed to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by examining which components of this work are associated with elevated mental health conditions and decreased well-being, as well as the intra-personal and organizational variables that may mitigate harm and improve well-being. <br><br>METHODS: Police investigators, forensic examiners, and others connected with the criminal justice system from across the United States who were exposed to CSAM as part of their professions (N = 500) completed an anonymous online survey. Participants were recruited through connections with the National Criminal Justice Training Center. <br><br>RESULTS: Duration, frequency, amount, and content of CSAM exposure was not related to poorer mental health with the exception of exposure to violent CSAM which was related to elevated post-traumatic stress symptoms. Several agency-level practices and policies, such as the availability of an Officer Wellness Program and more frequently knowing the final case resolution, were related to better mental health and well-being. Harm mitigation strategies, such as talking to other officers investigating the case and taking breaks from the material being viewed, were also related to better mental health. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that police agencies have options for implementing agency-level procedures and practices that have the potential to reduce the negative impact of CSAM investigations. Additionally, many investigators use strategies that are correlated with greater well-being, suggesting opportunities for improving training programs.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-244X",
doi="10.1186/s12888-023-05445-w",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05445-w"
}