Surviving "The Joint": Mitigating Factors of Correctional Officer Stress

• NCJ Number: 163884
• Journal: Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (1996) Pages: 103-120
• Author(s): E L Grossi; T J Keil; G F Vito
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the relationship between stressors, coping mechanisms, and three stress types (job dissatisfaction, work stress, and life stress) encountered by correctional officers.

Abstract

The study sample consisted of 106 line correctional officers employed at three institutions in a southern correctional system. During 1987, questionnaires were distributed to 299 employees who were randomly selected from a cross-sectional listing of employee identification numbers. Of the 299 questionnaires distributed, 204 were returned, for a response rate of 68 percent. The study instrument consisted of various statements designed to measure correctional officer perceptions about stressors and coping mechanisms. Factors such as danger, education, supervisory support, experience, and court decisions were considered in the multivariate model. Study results indicated that stressors and coping mechanisms had both direct and indirect effects on stress. Job experience contributed to the development of coping strategies, and these strategies better enabled correctional officers to manage overall life stress. More experienced correctional officers seemed to be more sensitive to stress- inducing role contradictions in their jobs than less experienced correctional officers. Knowing what to expect on the job lessened life stress and job dissatisfaction felt by correctional officers. Higher education gave correctional officers the ability to perceive more job satisfaction. Correctional officers who felt they worked with supportive supervisors were more likely than others to be satisfied with their jobs, and correctional officers who perceived their work environment as dangerous experienced more self-reported work stress. Perceived dangerousness of the work environment indirectly increased role stress felt by correctional officers. In general, work stress led to higher levels of role stress and job dissatisfaction. Work stress had a significant negative indirect effect on life stress, and role stress had a significant negative direct effect on life stress. The authors conclude that correctional officers who experience job stress engage in various escape routines to neutralize the potential effect of stress on their personal lives. 29 references, 2 tables, and 1 figure