Job demands, resources and mental health of vice and child sexual exploitation investigators.

Police employees working as vice investigators and internet child sexual exploitation investigators are exposed to operational stressors (images or stories of sexual abuse) and organizational stressors. It remains unclear if and to what extend these stressors affect mental health. This study aims: a) to examine job demands and resources and their relation with engagement and mental health and b) to translate these findings in a short-use to use screening instrument to monitor mental health. Firstly, an international literature study and 14 group interviews identified job demands, resources, engagement and mental health in this specific group of investigators. The job-demands resources model (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004) was used as a framework. These findings are currently replicated in a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of at least 350 investigators. This questionnaire also measures symptoms of PTSD, depression, burnout and engagement using standardized questionnaires. The literature study and group interviews revealed that many job demands, resources and mental health outcomes are not specific to the vice- and child sexual exploitation investigators and are found among various employees (e.g. high work load, social support). However, some did seem specific to the work of these investigators (e.g. watching images of child sexual abuse, protective behavior towards own children, sexual problems). This presentation combines these outcomes with the results of the cross-sectional study. In addition, the basis for a short and easy-to-use screening instrument will be presented that gives investigators insight into their mental health and resilience.