Degree Date

9-2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NLU Access

Degree Name

Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Academic Discipline

Psychology

First Advisor

Sandra Zakowski

Second Advisor

Bradley Olson

Third Advisor

Mary Plonis

Abstract

Police officers need to be physically and mentally fit to do their job, yet officers generally tend to avoid healthcare services. This study investigated police officers’ healthcare-use behaviors, demographic differences in provider use, and perceived barriers to accessing healthcare. An online survey of 278 voluntary United States police officers at all hierarchical levels was conducted; measurements involved: Demographic and job information questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), self-reported mental and physical health conditions, Healthcare Access & Use Survey, and three open-ended questions about barriers to health care use. Female officers reported significantly higher levels of distress than did their male counterparts on the GHQ-12. Female officers contacted providers such as nurse practitioners, chiropractors, and traditional healers within the past year significantly more often than did male officers. Nonwhite officers used speech/occupational/audiological services significantly more than White officers and higher-ranking officers tend to use general medical services more frequently than those in entry-level positions. In response to open-ended questions, time and scheduling conflicts were the most frequently identified barriers to accessing care for physical health (74.2%), stigma and perceived weakness were the strongest hindrances to using services for mental health (74.2%), and confidentiality and anonymity were primary motivators to using mental health services (70.3%). Overall, healthcare use was largely unrelated to age, department size, and ethnicity. Implications of these findings include the need for easily accessible, confidential services that integrate mental healthcare into medical spaces, alongside proactive wellness programs that encourage support from leadership and peers to help improve officers’ overall health.

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Available for download on Thursday, September 14, 2028

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