DISASTER-RELATED POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS IN POLICE OFFICERS: A FIELD STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF DEBRIEFING

SUMMARY Eight and 18 months after police oAcers had responded to a civilian plane crash, we assessed symptomatology in 46 debriefed and 59 non-debriefed oAcers, using structured clinical interviews. The two groups did not diAer in recalled preevent or postevent distress. Eight months postdisaster, debriefed and non-debriefed oAcers did not diverge significantly on post-traumatic stress symptomatology. Eighteen months postdisaster, however, those who had undergone debriefing exhibited significantly more disaster-related hyperarousal symptoms. We discuss research findings on post-traumatic stress and debriefing, and make some recommendations for crisis intervention following trauma and for further research on the topic. #1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Stress Med., 14: 143‐148, 1998.