Institutional Betrayal, Masculinity Contest Culture, and Coddling: How to Help First Responders Cope with Complex Social Trends

Monday, October 16, 2023

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM PST

Location: Room: 11A

Submitter and Speaker(s)

Julie Snyder, PsyD, ABPP

Fire Psychologist
Los Angeles City Fire Department, California
Playa Del Rey, California, United States

Speaker(s)

Stephanie McKenny

Police Psychologist
Los Angeles Police Department, California
Los Angeles, California, United States

In recent years, first responders have dealt with increased pressures: increased calls for service, increased scrutiny, and increased hostility from the community. Although these community pressures certainly have an impact, it is often the internal departmental dynamics that really lead to distress. This presentation will include a comprehensive review of the literature on institutional betrayal and masculinity contest culture, as well as provide practical strategies to help ease distress and retain personnel, while avoiding the ever-too-present coddling.