Gender differences in mediation of severe occupational stress among correctional officers |
| |
Authors: | Timothy E Hurst Mallory M Hurst |
| |
Institution: | (1) Kentucky Department of Corrections, USA;(2) University of Louisville, USA;(3) Roederer Correctional Complex, 40031 LaGrange, KY |
| |
Abstract: | This study explored gender differences in how correctional officers react to severe occupational stress and addressed differences
in coping processes and social support utilization. The subjects were 244 correctional officers (167 men and 77 women) employed
in Kentucky medium security institutions for male offenders. The study employed a survey administered to the volunteering
participants. The Ways of Coping Questionnaire was used to assess coping processes used to deal with a stressful work event,
and the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to assess severe occupational stress. Statistical analyses revealed that correctional
officers experience high levels of occupational stress but did not indicate gender differences in emotional exhaustion or
depersonalization. The results indicated that female officers more frequently than male officers processed stress by seeking
social support, while male officers more frequently than female officers processed stress by “planful problem solving.” No
differences were found in correctional officers’ relationships with oppositesex peers. The results suggested that male and
female correctional officers follow traditional sex roles in coping with occupational stress, but they revealed no differences
in how they are affected by occupational stress in terms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|