Strategies for Coping with Occupational Trauma: A Scoping Review of the Police Officer Context.

BACKGROUND: Occupational trauma is heightened among police officers due to their exposure to physical, biological, chemical, and psychological hazards. Sustained occupational trauma results in mental illness among members of the police, which is a public health issue of concern. This study aimed to report a scoping review of the literature on strategies employed by police officers for coping with occupational trauma around the globe. METHODS: A search string, formulated from the review question of what is known about the strategies of police officers for coping with occupational trauma, was used to search for articles from databases. A total of 588 hits were screened against inclusion criteria, resulting in 36 full-text studies between 1983 and 2022 being included in this review. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction tool. The multi-step process was used to analyse the extracted data, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. RESULTS: From this review, 'adaptive coping mechanisms', involving confrontation; 'maladaptive coping mechanisms', such as self-isolation, distancing and substance use; 'resilience', relating to mental preparation, and 'seeking support systems' from family, colleagues and professionals reflected the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Social stigma related to mental health disorders impacts the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. CONCLUSIONS: the police management and healthcare practitioners must collaborate towards providing constructive environments that support and strengthen police officers' strategies for coping with occupational trauma.

Exploring information needs among family caregivers of children with intellectual disability in a rural area of South Africa: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, families experience challenges caring for and raising children with intellectual disability (ID). Family caregivers in rural states are mostly known for lacking support resources, including information on understanding the care of ID. Lack of adequate information on understanding of ID compromises the provision of life-long care and support of the children with ID's physical, emotional, psychological and social developmental well-being. The study aimed to explore the information needs of family caregivers regarding the care of children with ID in rural areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa. METHODS: This qualitative explorative research conducted 16 in-depth individual interviews and one focus group discussion with ten family members. The participants shared their experiences of raising children with ID in rural communities. Inductive thematic analysis using Atlas Ti software categorised emerging themes and subthemes of this study from merged data sets on information needs regarding the care of children with ID among family caregivers. RESULTS: The findings highlighted the need for information regarding ID care among family caregivers raising children with ID in the home environment. The information challenges experienced by family caregivers include caring for the challenging behaviour of children with ID and available support resources and services for the children and their families. These challenges impact the care and support required to meet the developmental needs of children with ID. Furthermore, inadequate information on ID among family caregivers in rural communities with a lack of resources restricts the children from accessing required support services. CONCLUSIONS: Given the information challenges these families face on ID, the stakeholders must develop continuous training programmes that will equip, empower, and further monitor ID care and management among family caregivers to enhance care and the raising of children with dignity.

Families' Experiences on Safety Needs of Children with Intellectual Disability.

BACKGROUND: Children with intellectual disability (ID) are known to have a deficit in self-care, social interaction, and learning abilities. Families raising these children experience a range of difficulties that require supportive systems to meet the physical, psychological, and social safety rights of children with ID. The study explored the safety of children with ID through the experiences of their families in the rural Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. METHODS: In-depth individual interviews and focus group discussion were conducted with 26 families directly involved in raising the children with ID. An inductive thematic analysis of data on the experiences of raising children with ID was undertaken with the aid of ATLAS.ti 8 computer programme. RESULTS: The study revealed that children with ID lack safety at home, schools, and day care centre environments due to a lack of active involvement by nuclear family members, neighbours, and communities, including interaction with their peers and professional service providers in facilities. Safety of children with ID is compromised through exploitation and injuries, leading to marginalisation as they feared further humiliation. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted that active involvement of family members, communities, and governmental and non-governmental organisations is crucial in ensuring safe environments for children with ID.