Police officers and trauma: psychological impacts and coping mechanisms

This book plunges into the psychological world of Burkinabe police officers confronted with critical incidents. Through an in-depth qualitative study, it examines the traumatic consequences of their exposure to extreme events, in an institutional context devoid of formal psychological support mechanisms. The study is based on a methodology combining semi-structured interviews and three internationally recognized psychometric tests: the TraumaQ (trauma assessment), the WCC (coping strategies) and the DSQ-40 (defense mechanisms). The analysis focuses on two cases of police officers who survived a terrorist ambush together during an operation. The results reveal a correlation between the psychological mechanisms mobilized and the degree of resilience. While one subject showed relatively unaffected adaptation, thanks to problem-focused coping strategies and mature defenses, the other showed marked decompensation, characterized by alternating coping styles and the use of the full range of defensive mechanisms.

Autorentext

Pinguédwindé Henri Joël SOUBEIGA is a police officer, clinical psychologist and psychopathologist. He specializes in psychological support for fighting forces and their families. His approach, informed by his institutional practice and clinical training, enables him to address issues from both a professional and scientific perspective.