Transtorno de estresse pós-traumático, trauma psicológico e coping em policiais penais da Bahia

Abstract

Due to the nature of their work, correctional officers face higher security risks than professionals in other fields. This vulnerability stems, in part, from constant exposure to individuals involved in offenses and violent behavior. Within the context of public safety, potentially traumatic events include threats, riots, confrontations, violence, and verbal or physical aggression. Given these conditions, it is common for correctional officers to experience difficulties in their professional, social, and family lives, in addition to a greater propensity for developing PTSD symptoms and suffering psychological trauma. Literature shows that the impact of PTSD in this group directly affects the work environment, generating psychological distress and compromising interpersonal relationships with colleagues, managers, health teams, family members, and incarcerated individuals. In this context, this thesis aims to investigate PTSD by screening its symptoms in active correctional officers in the State of Bahia, in addition to analyzing the occurrence of potentially traumatic events, psychological trauma, and the most frequently used coping strategies by this population. To this end, its objectives are: (I) to conduct a narrative literature review on PTSD, traumatic events, and psychological trauma in public safety; (II) to conduct a scoping review on PTSD and potentially traumatic events among prison system correctional officers; (III) to carry out an empirical study with a quantitative, cross-sectional, and explanatory design, testing a mediation model involving occupational stressors, post-traumatic cognitions, coping strategies, and PTSD symptoms; and (IV) to develop psychoeducational booklets for correctional officers and their families, aimed at promoting the identification and recognition of signs and symptoms related to PTSD. As a methodological development and field-approach strategy, the thesis also included the creation of psychoeducational material in a comic book format, aimed at the children of correctional officers. This material, presented as a methodological note at the end 10 of the thesis, was designed to facilitate access to the field, strengthen the bond with the professional category, and expand family dialogue regarding work within the prison system.