NCJ Number
67635
Date Published
1979
Length
50 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY EXAMINED THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AMONG CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND ASSESSED THE IMPACTS OF LENGTH OF TIME AND RANK IN THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE EXPERIENCE OF STRESS WAS INVESTIGATED FOR 143 CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, INCLUDING STATE AND COUNTY, LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM, BLUE HATS AND WHITE HATS. EACH FILLED IN A QUESTIONNAIRE ELICITING INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF STRESS IN THEMSELVES AND OTHER OFFICERS, THEIR SITUATIONAL AND TEMPORAL EXPERIENCE OF STRESS, THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR STRESS IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL HEALTH, EMOTIONAL AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND JOB PERFORMANCE, THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF THE SOURCE OF THEIR STRESS AND THE COPING TECHNIQUES UTILIZED BY THEM. THE CORRECTION OFFICERS REPORTED MORE STRESS-RELATED PHYSICAL ILLNESSES THAN POLICE OFFICERS. COUNTY OFFICERS APPEARED SOMEWHAT LESS STRESSED THAN STATE OFFICERS. SELF-ESTEEM AT WORK SEEMED TO BE A MORE IMPORTANT VARIABLE THAN LENGTH OF SERVICE OR JOB STATUS. FOR ALL GROUPS, ROLE AMBIGUITY WAS SEEN AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF STRESS. IMPLICATIONS FROM THESE RESULTS ARE THAT STRESS AWARENESS AND COPING TECHNIQUES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE TRAINING OF CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, SINCE MANY OFFICERS ARE UNAWARE OF THEIR STRESS AND OF ITS MAJOR TRIGGERS. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOULD PURSUE INDEPTH STUDIES OF ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND MANAGERIAL STYLES THAT PRODUCE STRESS IN THE CORRECTIONAL SETTING. TO REDUCE ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS UNTIL TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE DEVELOPED, MANAGERS SHOULD TIGHTEN STANDARDS OF JOB PERFORMANCE, IMPROVE COMMUNICATION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS, AND ENCOURAGE OFFICER INPUT IN DECISIONMAKING. FOOTNOTES, REFERENCES AND TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (MRK)