NCJ Number
110324
Journal
Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1986) Pages: 331-345
Date Published
1986
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A survey was conducted into the sources of occupational stress and their effects on levels of health for a group of New Zealand prison staff.
Abstract
Staff were categorized into three groups: prison officers, ranking prison officers, and instructors. In addition, a control group of noncommissioned Army personnel was used as a comparison sample. Subjects were administered a job specific 'sources of stress' questionnaire, a life events measure, a personality measure (The Neuroticism Scale Questionnaire), and three health measures -- the General Health Questionnaire, a medical visit checklist, and a psychosomatic symptom checklist. Factor analysis of the stress questionnaire revealed six job specific sources of stress factors. These were identified as staff relationships, task pressures, relationships with inmates, promotion, the work environment, and the impact on family life of living in a prison village. Results showed that the levels of stress experienced by staff varied across the three groups. In addition, on the three health measures all staff groups were found to score significantly higher than the control groups. Further analysis showed that the variable isolated could be related to a general model of stress. (Publisher abstract)