An exploration of the experiences of critical incident negotiators

Booth, Catharine Charlotte (2019). An exploration of the experiences of critical incident negotiators. University of Birmingham. Foren.Psy.D.

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Abstract

Negotiation is an established strategy utilised by the police and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to manage critical incidents. Whilst the literature acknowledges the role of the negotiator to be stressful, little is known about the experience of stress and the coping strategies adopted by negotiators. This thesis aimed to address this gap in knowledge. Chapter 1 introduces the literature on critical incident negotiation and the key constructs relevant to the thesis. Chapter 2 presents a systematic review of the literature examining negotiator stress, coping, and mechanisms of support. The findings highlighted a dearth of knowledge in this area, particularly regarding the experience of negotiators working in a prison setting. To advance current knowledge, Chapter 3 presents an empirical study exploring the sources and experiences of stress for prison officer negotiators; how they cope with the pressure of the role; and their views of available support mechanisms. Chapter 4 examines the psychometric properties of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (Adult Version) (Endler & Parker, 1999) and considers the utility of the questionnaire in respect to research and practice. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis with a summary of the main findings and provides recommendations for practice and further research.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):