| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a SAPS crisis-debriefing training
program on the future crisis worker. The specific focus was to establish whether the
crisis-debriefing training program leads to a decrease in the stress symptoms of the future
crisis worker and to an increase in constructive coping strategies and psychological wellbeing.
The nature and dynamics of stress, coping and psychological well-being was
analysed from certain specific different theoretical perspectives as found in the current
literature.
in the empirical analysis an experimental group from the North West province (24) as well
as an experimental group from the Western Cape (19) were used. The total group
consisted out of 43 people who underwent the crisis-debriefing training program. Ages
varied from 21 tot 45 years. The total experimental group was compared with a control
group (25) that did not undergo the training program. Symptoms of stress were
determined by means of the Trauma Constellation Identification Scale (TCIS) by Dansky
et al. (l990) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) by Cohen et al. (1983). Coping
strategies were determined by means of the Cope-Questionnaire (COPE) by Carver et al.
(1989), the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI) by Amirkhan (1990, 1994) and the Coping
Resources Inventory - Adult Form (CRl) by Moos (1993). Psychological well-being
were determined by means of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) by Amonovsky
(1987), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) by Diener et al. (1985) and the
Affectometer 2 (AFM) by Kammann and Flett ( 1983 ).
According to the pretest scores with regard to the TCIS and PSS it was clear that the
police officials who took pan in this investigation experienced a high level of trauma and
stress together with a feeling that they were not always capable of hand ling their
circumstances effectively. Pretest scores with regard to the COPE, CSI and CRI showed
that the police officials in this investigation, in spite of high scores with regard to Jess
adaptational coping mechanisms, predominantly make use of constructive coping
mechanisms. According to the pretest scores with regard to the SOC, S\VLS an AFM it
was clear that the police officials that took pan in this study, experienced a relatively high
level of psychological well-being.
After the crisis-debriefing training program the experimental groups showed a
statistically meaningful decrease with regard to symptoms of stress. These groups also
showedl a statistically meaningful increase in constructive coping abilities and level of
psychological well-being after the program. Seeing that the control group did not show a
meaningful decrease with regard to stress symptoms and meaningful increases with
regard to constructive coping skills and level of psychological well-being, one can
assume that the positive changes that occur in the ex peri mental groups can be attributed
to the crisis-debriefing training program.
it is recommended that those who were trained as crisis workers by means of the crisis-debriefing
training program should be followed up to establish whether changes are
permanent and whether the program was sufficient preparation for what they are exposed
to. Seeing that people in different cultures are trained as crisis workers to work with
different cultures, it is recommended that the influence of different cultures with regard to
stress, coping and psychological well-being should be investigated and that the findings
should be implemented in the crisis-debriefing training program. From this investigation
it is obvious that police officials who do administrative work (the control group)
experience an even higher level of stress than those who do functional work
(experimental groups). Further research with regard to the factors which cause this stress
and the possible management of the stress is suggested.
From this investigation it was clear that the two experimental groups showed statistically
meaningful differences after the crisis-debriefing training program. Seeing that these
differences could possibly be ascribed to the different training methods of the program
presenters, it is suggested that the program presenters of the North West province and
Western Cape should combine their methods and knowledge in order to enrich the
program. | |
