NCJ Number
171936
Journal
American Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 121-137
Date Published
1997
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study explores gender differences in how correctional officers react to severe occupational stress, differences in coping processes and use of social support.
Abstract
The subjects were 167 male and 77 female correctional officers employed in Kentucky medium-security institutions for male offenders. A survey administered to the subjects used the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Statistical analyses revealed that the correctional officers experienced high levels of occupational stress but did not indicate gender differences in emotional exhaustion or depersonalization. Female officers, more than male officers, processed stress by seeking social support, while male officers tended to processed stress through "planful problem solving." There were no differences in correctional officers' relationships with opposite-sex peers. The article suggests that more objective examination of correctional officers' coping processes might measure and compare variables such as blood pressure, pulse, galvanic skin response, cigarette consumption, and amount of time spent talking to other officers and supervisors. Note, tables, references