Understanding the experiences of spouses/significant others of Public Safety Personnel (PSP) who are receiving inpatient mental health treatment

Project Description:  This research proposal focuses on the experiences of partners of Public Safety Personnel (PSP) during inpatient mental health treatment. Public Safety Personnel (PSP) have a significantly higher prevalence of mental health issues, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders, compared to the general population. Family members of PSP are also affected, experiencing increased stress and adverse health outcomes due to their loved ones’ work-related trauma. These family members often face difficulties such as partner absences, solo parenting, and vicarious trauma, leading to issues such as higher divorce rates and emotional distress. However, there is limited research on how these challenges impact families and how to support them during the treatment of their PSP loved ones.

The study will focus specifically on the experiences of partners of PSP while their loved one is  receiving inpatient mental health treatment. The research aims to fill the knowledge gap on how inpatient treatment affects these partners and to identify the types of support they may need. The study will use an interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA) to explore the impacts of inpatient care on PSP partners through semi-structured interviews. A minimum of 10 participants will be recruited from an inpatient facility in Ontario, Canada, where PSP are undergoing treatment. These findings will inform the development of a resource that can be given to PSP partners prior to their admission to inpatient mental health treatment, with the goal of helping them feel more prepared and supported during this challenging time.