Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Compassion Fatigue and Police Use of Force Amanda K. Devan Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Social Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Amanda K. Devan has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Wayne Wallace, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Aaron Pierce, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Stephen Hampe, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Compassion Fatigue and Police Officers’ Use of Force by Amanda K. Devan MS, Nova Southeastern University, 2015 BS, Post University, 2013 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology Walden University August 2020 Abstract Compassion fatigue is a natural response to caring, where burnout and exhaustion result from helping professions which includes police officers. Exposure to trauma and stress increases the risk of developing compassion fatigue in helper professions and may have negative implications on overall mental health and physical well-being. However, not much is known about the behavioral effects of compassion fatigue among police officers during use-of-force incidents. The purpose of this study was to examine whether compassion fatigue in police officers is predictive of use-of- force incidents. The theoretical foundation was Figley’s theory of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Survey data were collected from a purposeful sample of 144 U.S. police officers using the Professional Quality of Life scale and a use of force self-report scale that identified types and amounts of force used in the last 30 days. Results of logistic regression and t tests indicated that higher scores on the burnout subscale are a significant predictor for use of nonlethal force in comparison to participants with high compassion satisfaction scores. Results may be used by law enforcement agencies to change mental health policies and training curriculum and create intervention programs that identify factors that contribute to a police officer’s decision-making capabilities as the prevalence of police misconduct complaints stem from use-of-force incidents. Compassion Fatigue and Police Officer’s Use of Force by Amanda K. Devan MS, Nova Southeastern University, 2015 BS, Post University, 2013 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology Walden University August 2020 Dedication This work is dedicated to my wonderful and supportive partner, James, for always asking “what’s next” and “why not?” Without his encouragement and belief in me, I would not have had continued my educational journey. For my children, Nikole, Erika and Ryan, for always putting up with Mom always doing more homework, studying, and endlessly writing. I hope I have encouraged you to follow your dreams and realize anything is possible. For my mom, Shelley, and Elizabeth, I hope I continue to make you proud. For my dad and my brother, Ron, whom I miss every day so very much, I wish you were here to celebrate this achievement with me. Acknowledgments I would like to take this opportunity to thank my committee, Dr. Wayne A. Wallace and Dr. Aaron P. Pierce, who provided support and encouragement. You both believed in me and worked tirelessly at guiding me through this challenging process. I would also like to acknowledge all of the police officers who took time to contribute to this study. You have a very difficult job in today’s world, and I wish you a safe, healthy and long career. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................4 Research Questions and Hypotheses .............................................................................5 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................6 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................7 Definitions......................................................................................................................8 Assumptions .................................................................................................................11 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................11 Limitations ...................................................................................................................12 Significance..................................................................................................................13 Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 13 Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 14 i Significance to Social Change .......................................................................................... 14 Summary ......................................................................................................................15 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................17 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................18 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................18 Development of Compassion Fatigue ..........................................................................21 Law Enforcement and First Responder Stress .............................................................22 Work Environment.......................................................................................................23 Bio-Psycho-Social Impact ...........................................................................................25 Depersonalization, General Aggression Model, Burnout-Victimization Model .........26 Sleep Deprivation.........................................................................................................29 Working Memory.........................................................................................................34 Low Working Memory Cognition Versus High Memory Working Cognition From Stress ......................................................................................................36 Coping With Stress, Decision-Making, and Performance ...........................................39 Compassion Satisfaction ..............................................................................................42 Resistance to Compassion Fatigue...............................................................................42 ii Use of Force .................................................................................................................43 Influences on Use-of-Force Decision-Making.............................................................46 Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................48 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................50 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................50 Population ............................................................................................................. 52 Sampling and Sampling Procedures ..................................................................... 52 Sample Size ........................................................................................................... 53 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 54 Review .................................................................................................................. 55 Instrumentation and Operationalization of Constructs ................................................56 Professional Quality of Life Scale, Version 5 ...................................................... 56 Reliability and Validity of the ProQOL ...............................................................