Advances in biometric and administrative data analysis

Abstract

Biosensor technology and recent advances in statistics offer the potential for monitoring first responders' biometric state, detecting problems, and informing efforts to improve their mental and physical health. Biosensors can track how work-related stressors impact health and well-being in real time. To illustrate these methods, our motivating example harmonizes police officer biometric and administrative data for N = 1 monitoring. More specifically, this study evaluates the feasibility of a data collection, management, and innovative statistical modeling for assessing physiological stress response of two police officers. These officers each wore two research-grade wrist devices during their patrol shifts for one month, yielding over 300 h of electrodermal activity (EDA) data. Administrative agency records were harmonized with biosensor data to explore real-time responses in EDA to policing stressors. Data were analyzed using intensive hierarchical modeling adapted for small sample and N = 1 studies. Statistical results identified complex within-officer relationships between characteristics of policing calls-to-service and officer physiological response including nuanced inter-officer differences. Certain call characteristics were associated with elevated EDA. Feasibility was documented using biosensor technology in a real-world setting and linking it to call-for-service records. Biometric devices represent an important advancement in understanding physiological reactions of first responders to their work environment. Results demonstrated the value of idiographic research for understanding impacts of work-related stressors. This feasibility study provides important guidance about using and analyzing EDA data collected in a naturalistic ambulatory setting.