Changing Personality Patterns of Police Officers

Twenty-five police officers were evaluated at or shortly after their recruitment and again 2 years later. Eleven of the officers were available for follow-up 4 years after recruitment. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores showed significant changes over time, suggesting increasi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Professional psychology, research and practice research and practice, 1988-10, Vol.19 (5), p.503-507
Main Authors: Beutler, Larry E, Nussbaum, Paul D, Meredith, Keith E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcohol Abuse
At Risk Populations
Biological and medical sciences
Coping Behavior
Followup Studies
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Illness and personality
Occupational Stress
Personality Correlates
Police Personnel
Psychology and medicine
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
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Summary:Twenty-five police officers were evaluated at or shortly after their recruitment and again 2 years later. Eleven of the officers were available for follow-up 4 years after recruitment. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores showed significant changes over time, suggesting increasing somatic symptoms, anxiety, and alcohol vulnerability. The increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse was the strongest finding, and by the 4th year of service, mean MacAndrews Alcoholism Scale scores were within the critical range. Results are discussed in terms of the peculiar stresses of police work and the need for periodic reevaluation to prevent stress-associated problems and also initiate early intervention programs.
ISSN:0735-7028
1939-1323
DOI:10.1037/0735-7028.19.5.503