Double Trauma? A Dyadic Analysis of the Impact of Police Stress on Depressive Symptoms
Bárbara Sousa, Marisa Matias, Patrício Costa, Ângela MaiaABSTRACT
Introduction
Research shows that being a police officer affects not only officers' well‐being but also that of their families, particularly spouses. Repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while spouses may develop secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms.
Methods
This study examined, from a dyadic perspective, the effects of officers' PTSD and spouses' STS symptoms on depressive symptoms in both partners, using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM).
Results
Metric invariance of the depression measure across partners was tested and confirmed, supporting valid comparisons. Significant actor and partner effects emerged: PTSD and STS symptoms predicted higher depression levels in individuals and their partners.
Conclusion
Findings highlight emotional interdependence within couples, suggesting that one partner's traumatic symptoms can affect the other's psychological well‐being. Recommendations: Prevention and clinical interventions should adopt dyadic approaches addressing both individual and relational dimensions to mitigate trauma's psychological impact in police contexts.