Book of Abstracts

The role of private security professionals in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States has rapidly expanded, placing them in increasingly high-stress and ethically complex situations typically reserved for law enforcement personnel. This transition has raised concerns regarding the psychological well-being of private security professionals, particularly within the scope of burnout. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced professional efficacy, has been associated with numerous mental and physical health issues, including depression and substance abuse. While already of great concern to those in public safety roles, these risks may be exacerbated through experiences of shame, guilt and moral suffering when private security professionals conduct themselves in ways that violate the integrity of their morals, particularly during their frequent interactions with vulnerable populations. This study investigates the practice of forgiveness as a protective factor against burnout and its associated psychological harms among private security professionals. Forgiveness has previously been shown to be an effective practice for promoting psychological well-being in law enforcement personnel, but it has yet to be examined through the lens of private security. Through the participation of a sample of certified and licensed private security professionals employed in the states of Oregon and Washington, this study will examine the effects of forgiveness of self, others and situations on burnout, occupational stress and moral suffering. While data has yet to be collected, this study hopes to show the positive impact that forgiveness can have, both on the well-being of private security professionals and the communities they serve.