{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,23]],"date-time":"2026-02-23T19:06:36Z","timestamp":1771873596411,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":56,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,23]],"date-time":"2026-02-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1771804800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100008719","name":"Movember Foundation","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100008719","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychiatry"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Police officers are repeatedly exposed to trauma throughout their careers, with senior leaders experiencing the cumulative burden of critical incidents, organisational stress, and public accountability. As many retire in midlife, the transition can be psychologically disruptive, impacting identity, mental health, and future employability. This study evaluated a novel RESilient LEAders \u2013 Police Superintendents (RESLEAPS) resettlement programme designed to support psychological wellbeing, resilience and future employability during this transition.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This evaluation combined pre-programme psychological screening and qualitative interviews. Forty-seven participants completed standardised mental health measures, including the GAD-7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), and TSQ (trauma symptoms). Additionally, 17 participants took part in semi-structured interviews evaluating the programme and exploring emotional, identity, and vocational aspects of retirement. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify salient themes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>At baseline, 17.02% of participants met the clinical threshold for moderate anxiety and 23.4% for trauma-related symptoms. Thematic analysis generated six interrelated themes: (1) High Pressure and Workload, including a pervasive sense of jeopardy; (2) Public Perceptions and Politicisation of Policing; (3) Psychological Impacts of 30 Years\u2019 Service, including cumulative trauma and fatigue; (4) Loss of Valued Role, Identity and Sense of Self; (5) Safe Space to Share Vulnerabilities through peer reflection; and (6) Reframing the Retirement Mindset toward renewed purpose and employability.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Findings highlight retirement is both a point of vulnerability and an opportunity to strengthen resilience in police officers. Trauma-informed, identity-based resettlement interventions like RESLEAPS can support psychological resilience, confidence, and continued employability beyond policing. Future research should examine long-term wellbeing and vocational outcomes of these programmes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1722156","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,23]],"date-time":"2026-02-23T18:10:17Z","timestamp":1771870217000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Trauma, identity and transition: evaluation of the RESLEAPS programme for retiring senior police officers"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Ceri R.","family":"Jones","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester","place":["Leicester, United Kingdom"]},{"name":"Faculty of Business and Law, Birkbeck, University of London","place":["London, United Kingdom"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Stuart","family":"Noble","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Police Leavers Partnership","place":["Southport, United Kingdom"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Sylvia","family":"Delpratt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Computer Science, Engineering & Media, Institute for Sustainable Futures, De Montfort University","place":["Leicester, United Kingdom"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","unstructured":"Police workforce, England and Wales: 31 March 2024\n          \n          \n          \n          2024"},{"key":"B2","article-title":"Public sector employment and turnover statistics, Q1 2024","year":"2024"},{"key":"B3","article-title":"Labour market outlook: Winter 2023\u201324","year":"2023"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0032258X21990412","article-title":"\u2018Getting on with the job\u2019: A systematised literature review of secondary trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in policing within the United Kingdom (UK)","volume":"95","author":"Foley","year":"2022","journal-title":"Police J"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijlcj.2025.100787","article-title":"An emotional exit: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the drivers for leaving and mental health of ex police officers","volume":"83","author":"Lennie","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int J Law Crime Justice"},{"key":"B6","unstructured":"International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11): Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines for mental and behavioural disorders\n          \n          \n          \n          2019"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"885","DOI":"10.1002\/jts.22448","article-title":"Posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD in UK police officers: Prevalence, risk factors, and associations with well-being","volume":"33","author":"Brewin","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Trauma Stress"},{"key":"B8","article-title":"Blue Light Programme: Supporting the mental health of emergency services staff and volunteers","year":"2019"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15614263.2019.1689129","article-title":"A systematic review of mental health symptoms in police officers following extreme traumatic exposures","volume":"22","author":"Regehr","year":"2021","journal-title":"Police Pract Res"},{"key":"B10","article-title":"Adult psychiatric morbidity survey: Survey of mental health and wellbeing, England 2022","year":"2022"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1177\/1098611112467416","article-title":"An empirical examination of retirement issues among police officers","volume":"16","author":"Brandl","year":"2013","journal-title":"Police Q"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1080\/15614260500046912","article-title":"Retiring from the police force: Issues of identity and adjustment","volume":"6","author":"Ruiz","year":"2005","journal-title":"Police Pract Res"},{"key":"B13","unstructured":"Findings from the resilience and Wellbeing Survey of Police Superintendents\n          \n          \n          \n          2019"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"987","DOI":"10.1080\/10439463.2017.1333127","article-title":"Senior officers and the challenges of transition: A qualitative study of UK police superintendents","volume":"27","author":"Hales","year":"2017","journal-title":"Policing Soc"},{"key":"B15","volume-title":"A cop\u2019s guide to surviving post-traumatic stress disorder","author":"Rudofossi","year":"2009"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11896-024-09713-7","article-title":"Burnout and post-traumatic stress disorders in police officers: Systematic review and meta-analysis","author":"Ugwu","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Police Crim Psychol"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/occmed\/kqaa073","article-title":"Mental health in policing: Systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors and interventions","volume":"70","author":"Demou","year":"2020","journal-title":"Occup Med"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"764","DOI":"10.1080\/10439463.2014.989155","article-title":"Police officers\u2019 experiences of forced retirement under Regulation A19","volume":"26","author":"Cameron","year":"2016","journal-title":"Policing Soc"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15614263.2020.1813914","article-title":"Exploring the impact of retirement on police officers\u2019 wellbeing","volume":"22","author":"Carney","year":"2021","journal-title":"Police Pract Res"},{"key":"B20","article-title":"Public sector pensions explained","year":"2023"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/police\/paaf043","article-title":"Vocational transition and employment experiences among police leavers: A national survey study","author":"Jones","year":"2025","journal-title":"Policing"},{"key":"B22","article-title":"Police Covenant: Annual Report 2023","year":"2023"},{"key":"B23","unstructured":"Labour market overview: Economic inactivity statistics\n          \n          \n          Newport (UK)\n          ONS\n          \n          2023"},{"key":"B24","volume-title":"Understanding the impact of organisational and operational stressors on police personnel","author":"Shepherd","year":"2023"},{"key":"B25","unstructured":"Mental Health and the Productivity Gap: The Economic Case for Mental Health Services\n          \n          \n          \n          2020"},{"key":"B26","volume-title":"The new psychology of health: Unlocking the social cure","author":"Haslam","year":"2019"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1080\/09602011.2015.1081158","article-title":"Maintaining group memberships: Social identity continuity predicts well-being after stroke","volume":"28","author":"Haslam","year":"2018","journal-title":"Neuropsychol Rehabil"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1088868314541850","article-title":"Depression and social identity: An integrative review","volume":"19","author":"Cruwys","year":"2015","journal-title":"Pers Soc Psychol Rev"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/10439463.2020.1751170","article-title":"Police culture and identity: Beyond the blue code","volume":"30","author":"Bullock","year":"2020","journal-title":"Policing Soc"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/21635781.2017.1409462","article-title":"The transition to civilian life: A review of veteran adjustment issues","volume":"6","author":"Kintzle","year":"2018","journal-title":"Military Behav Health"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"52","DOI":"10.3138\/jmvfh.2016-0009","article-title":"Transition from military to civilian life: The role of social identity, self-determination, and meaning in life","volume":"3","author":"Cooper","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Military Veteran Family Health"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2756","DOI":"10.1002\/casp.2756","article-title":"Brothers and sisters in arms: A mixed-methods investigation of the roles played by military support and social identity processes in the mental health of veterans during the transition to veterancy","volume":"34","author":"Wakefield","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Community Appl Soc Psychol"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70062","DOI":"10.1002\/casp.70062","article-title":"The veteran\u2019s identity journey: A qualitative exploration through social identity model of identity change","volume":"35","author":"Sharma","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Community Appl Soc Psychol"},{"key":"B34","unstructured":"Trauma-Informed Practice: Guidance for Supporting Survivors\n          \n          \n          Leicester (UK)\n          SHAMA Women's Centre\n          \n          2014"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1080\/02650533.2020.1815696","article-title":"Developing trauma-informed public services: A review of the literature and practice-based insights","volume":"35","author":"Sharma","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Soc Work Pract"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1017\/S0033291720000079","article-title":"Using thematic analysis in psychology","volume":"3","author":"Braun","year":"2006","journal-title":"Qual Res Psychol"},{"key":"B37","article-title":"Adult depression in Great Britain: 2022","year":"2022"},{"key":"B38","article-title":"National Police Wellbeing Survey 2023","year":"2023"},{"key":"B39","unstructured":"London (UK)\n          Ministry of Defence\n          Career Transition Partnership: Ex-Service Personnel Employment Outcomes 2022\/23\n          \n          2023"},{"key":"B40","unstructured":"Transition Mapping Study 2017: Continue to work\n          \n          \n          \n          2017"},{"key":"B41","unstructured":"Transition Mapping Study\n          \n          \n          London (UK)\n          FiMT\n          \n          2020"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.1177\/0706743717723825","article-title":"Exposures to potentially traumatic events among public safety personnel in Canada","volume":"63","author":"Carleton","year":"2018","journal-title":"Can J Psychiatry"},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"225","DOI":"10.1002\/ejsp.2830","article-title":"Social identity processes in retirement transitions: A systematic review","volume":"52","author":"Wakefield","year":"2022","journal-title":"Eur J Soc Psychol"},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1108\/02683941211252470","article-title":"Achieving well-being in retirement: Recommendations from 20 years of research","volume":"27","author":"Wang","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Managerial Psychol"},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12144-023-04321-6","article-title":"The policing culture: An exploration into the mental health of former British police officers","volume":"43","author":"Porter","year":"2024","journal-title":"Curr Psychol"},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"596","DOI":"10.1108\/PIJPSM-03-2013-0023","article-title":"Police mortality rates: Suicide, homicide, accidental, and other causes","volume":"36","author":"Violanti","year":"2013","journal-title":"Policing: Int J"},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/17488958231191648","article-title":"Leaving the table: Organisational (in)justice and the relationship with police officer retention","author":"Charman","year":"2024","journal-title":"Criminology & Criminal Justice"},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15325024.2010.519281","article-title":"When veterans return: The role of community in reintegration","volume":"16","author":"Demers","year":"2011","journal-title":"J Loss Trauma"},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1177\/0894845306294521","article-title":"Understanding career transitions: Conceptual issues and research agenda","volume":"33","author":"Baruch","year":"2007","journal-title":"J Career Dev"},{"key":"B50","article-title":"SAMHSA\u2019s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach","year":"2014"},{"key":"B51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"798","DOI":"10.1177\/0146167201277003","article-title":"The health benefits of writing about life goals","volume":"27","author":"King","year":"2001","journal-title":"Pers Soc Psychol Bull"},{"key":"B52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0222386","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0222386","article-title":"Effects of the Best Possible Self intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"14","author":"Carrillo","year":"2019","journal-title":"PLOS ONE"},{"key":"B53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3402\/ejpt.v5.23970","article-title":"Psychosocial facets of resilience: Implications for preventing posttrauma psychopathology, treating trauma survivors, and enhancing community resilience","volume":"5","author":"Iacoviello","year":"2014","journal-title":"Eur J Psychotraumatol"},{"key":"B54","first-page":"1","article-title":"Social identity, health and well-being","volume":"57","author":"Haslam","year":"2008","journal-title":"Appl Psychol"},{"key":"B55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.3384\/ijal.1652-8670.5153","article-title":"Individual determinants of extended working lives: A systematic review","volume":"19","author":"Guti\u00e9rrez","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int J Ageing Later Life"},{"key":"B56","unstructured":"Police covenant\n          \n          \n          \n          2022"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychiatry"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1722156\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,23]],"date-time":"2026-02-23T18:10:20Z","timestamp":1771870220000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1722156\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,23]]},"references-count":56,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1722156"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1722156","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-0640"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-0640","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,23]]},"article-number":"1722156"}}