TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Backing the blue: trauma in law enforcement spouses and couples
JO  - Family relations
A1  - Landers, Ashley L.
A1  - Dimitropoulos, Gina
A1  - Mendenhall, Tai J.
A1  - Kennedy, Alison
A1  - Zemanek, Lindsey
SP  - 308
EP  - 319
VL  - 69
IS  - 2
N2  - OBJECTIVE To explore the lived experiences of secondary trauma among partners of law enforcement professionals (LEPs). Background Stress is a common occurrence for LEPs. Although research suggests that LEPs are directly affected by trauma exposure, few studies focus on the secondary trauma of partners or spouses of LEPs. <br><br>METHOD Utilizing transcendental phenomenological inquiry, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of eight spouses of law enforcement recruited from community groups and police departments. <br><br>RESULTS The results revealed three overarching themes of how participants experienced being partnered with an LEP: (a) types of trauma exposure, (b) the ripple impact of trauma, and (c) strength of couples and how they cope with trauma. <br><br>CONCLUSION Findings suggest that spouses are both affected by trauma and serve a supportive role to LEPs following trauma exposure. Because secondary trauma can exacerbate existing difficulties in communication and emotional intimacy within couples' relationships, a greater understanding of the impact of trauma on law enforcement couples may lead to greater resources to help support couples wherein one individual is directly exposed to work-related trauma. Implications Family professionals should promote healthy responses and coping among law enforcement couples following exposure to traumatic events.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0197-6664
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fare.12393
ID  - ref1
ER  -