This thesis explores individual and interpersonal risk and resiliency factors in primary and secondary trauma across three individual papers.
The first paper is a systematic review examining the role of social cognition in the relationship between attachment style and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The review synthesises the findings of six studies that met the inclusion criteria. Collectively, the results indicate that social cognition has a mediating role. The review suggests that insecure attachment style is a risk factor and secure attachment is a resiliency factor in PTSD. However, it was not possible
to draw firm conclusions due to the small number of heterogeneous studies reviewed. The clear need for future research is discussed. Suggestions are made for the use of attachment and social cognition approaches in the psychosocial treatment of PTSD.
The second paper is an empirical study investigating individual characteristics, secondary trauma, and burnout in police sexual and violent offending teams. The study used a sample of specialist police staff (N=78) who completed an online questionnaire survey. The results indicate that coping self-efficacy, dispositional mindfulness, and psychological flexibility are resiliency factors and insecure attachment style is a risk factor for secondary trauma, burnout,
and mental ill-health. Suggestions are made for the use of mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and attachment approaches in promoting a resilient police work force.
The final chapter expansively discusses the implications of both papers for future research, theory development, and clinical practice. Collectively, the findings suggest that attachment style may serve as an individual and interpersonal risk or resiliency factor in primary and secondary trauma. The socio-interpersonal model of PTSD is referenced as encapsulating the
thesis findings in the wider trauma literature.