NCJ Number
100225
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1985) Pages: 505-533
Date Published
1985
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Based on a November 1983 survey of 155 line staff in a Southern correctional system, this study analyzed how various stressors, coping factors, and status characteristics influenced work stress, job dissatisfaction, and life stress.
Abstract
Questionnaires were sent to 250 correctional officers randomly selected from a listing of all active correctional officers in a Southern correctional system; 155 usable questionnaires were returned (62 percent). Scales were developed to measure job stressors, coping factors (social supports and individual resources), and types of stress experienced by those sampled. Regression analysis was used to examine the impact of stressors, coping factors, and social status on work-related stress, job dissatisfaction, and life stress. Analysis indicated that role problems and perceived dangerousness were positively related to multiple forms of stress. Although supervisory support mitigated both work stress and job dissatisfaction, the effects of other coping factors varied. Black and educated officers had higher levels of job dissatisfaction, and female officers had higher work-related stress. Overall, the data suggest that theoretical models of officer stress must incorporate coping factors and specify how the dimensions of occupational role and personality differentially impact types of stress. The questionnaire is appended. Tabular data and 66 references. (Author abstract modifed)