Can You Really Leave Your Uniform at Work? Strategies to Cope with Work-Family Spillover

Presentation Description: Given the nature of the job, officers often experience a spillover of work into family life and family life into work (Casas & Benuto, 2022). Exposure to trauma and the consequences of cumulative stress can negatively impact first responder families. Furthermore, issues at home can impact officers' performance, well-being, mental state, and even safety on the job. Though, families often struggle to navigate critical conversations about the job. In discussing ways to enhance the safety and wellness of officers, it is essential to understand the family's pivotal role. Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of the intersection between family and wellness while learning strategies to engage in effective conversations to promote wellness for the entire family.

Methodology: The presentation will involve a compilation of PowerPoint, storytelling, and an in-depth overview of communicative strategies, with engaging scenario-based discussions. Content for this presentation will be grounded in first-hand experiences as family members of police officers and as a former police officer, coupled with preliminary findings from an ongoing qualitative research study with first responder spouses and previous research on first responder families and wellness. Information will be presented by two highly collaborative speakers, both of which are law enforcement family members, one who was an officer and the other with a doctorate in health communication with an emphasis on interpersonal relationships.

  • Understand the role of family and work-life spillover in first responder wellness.
  • Engage in regular conversations about wellness and support needs with family members.
  • Employ strategies for transitioning home and effectively engaging with family following a shift.

Erin Craw

Account Manager, Public Sector | Adjunct Professor

Youturn Health | Fairfield University

Erin Craw, Ph.D., earned her doctorate in Health Communication from Chapman University in Southern California. Her research interests are at the intersection of health, interpersonal, and organizational communication as it relates to support seeking, social support, stigma, and resilience. She is particularly interested in translational research that improves access to needed support for underserved populations and those who face extensive barriers to gaining assistance. Her dissertation explored police officers’ preferences for support and factors influencing mental health-related disclosure decisions. As the daughter of a police officer (36 years) and granddaughter of a firefighter (40 years), she has a true passion for research that informs mental health-related interventions for first responders, enhances communication surrounding mental health, and improves access to support. Erin’s research has been published in Health Communication, the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Communication Education, and the Journal of Applied Communication Research. In 2021 and 2022, Craw was awarded the Michelle Miller-Day Outstanding Research Award and has earned several top paper awards through the Eastern Communication Association. She has also been an invited guest on several podcasts to discuss how her research can help enhance new approaches to improving mental health support and communication. At Youturn Health, Erin manages public sector accounts, ensuring clients successfully access the support they need. Erin is also a part-time Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut and Fairfield University. In addition, she is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor passionate about helping others feel more competent and confident navigating difficult conversations. Craw is also a blogger for Psychology Today and has written several articles for Crackyl Magazine. Outside of work, she loves volunteering with organizations like the American Red Cross, where she has previously worked with veteran families.

Stephanie Kiesow

Former Police Officer, POST Instructor

Central Coastal California

Stephanie Kiesow, MA is the daughter of two cops, the wife of a deputy, and was a police officer herself. From 2006 through 2022, Stephanie worked for three police agencies on the Central Coast of California; the last several years as a sworn police officer. During her law enforcement career, she was heavily involved in providing unofficial peer support and helped to develop programs and policies for departments.

Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology (I/O Psych), and is currently working on obtaining her PhD in I/O Psych. In 2022, Stephanie left her job as a police officer and now focuses her time on researching and mitigating workplace contributing factors to suicide within first responder agencies as well as increase organizational and occupational wellness through anecdotal and science-backed methods. Stephanie teaches for the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and Standard and Training for Corrections (STC), is a contributing writer and speaker for several organizations, works as a Public Safety Advocate with First Responder Wellness and The Counseling Team International, and is the published Best-Selling author of her book titled, "Workicide."

When not working, teaching, or writing, Stephanie spends her time with her husband, sons, and her beloved dogs, cats, and chickens.

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
You must register to access.