Occupational stress and mental health among correctional officers: a cross-sectional study

A harsh psychosocial environment in the workplace might cause adverse health events, but the association has not been well demonstrated in the penitentiary environment. This cross-sectional study was designed to explore the association between workplace psychosocial risks and the mental health of correctional officers in a Spanish penitentiary center. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to correctional officers. A total of 164 responded anonymously (response rate 43%). The SF36 survey was used to measure mental health and ISTAS21 (Spanish version of Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) was used to measure exposure to workplace psychosocial conditions. Low scores were obtained for mental health, high scores were obtained for psychological demands, low self-esteem, and low control and influence and moderate scores for low social support, double exposure, and insecurity at work. A linear regression analysis was constructed to study the influence of workplace psychosocial conditions (independent variables) on mental health (dependent variable). The effect was adjusted for sex, age, seniority, and occupational group. Psychological demands (highest impact), low control and influence, and double exposure had significant inverse associations with mental health. The association between low social support, low self-esteem, and insecurity at work with mental health was insignificant. Psychosocial work conditions are a potential target for mental health promotion programs at work.     

Work in the prison system: a study of correctional officers in Greater Metropolitan Salvador,Brazil

A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify possible associations between working conditions and health among correctional officers in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The study used a stratified proportional random sample of 311 individuals who answered a non-identifiable self-applied questionnaire. The following results were obtained by logistic regression: (a) psychologically inadequate workplace, insufficient basic work conditions, no leisure time, lack of sports practice, >/=nine years working in the prison system, excessive work hours, >/=48 hours work/week, and inadequate organizational conditions at work were associated with minor psychological disorders; (b) lack of specific training, female gender, >/=48 hours work/week, psychologically inadequate workplace, no leisure time, and lack of sports practice were associated with persistent stress, (c) age >/=45 years, >/=nine years working in the prison system, excessive work hours, lack of sports practice, inadequate basic and organizational work conditions, and minor psychological disorders were associated with health complaints.     

Prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among Chinese male correctional officers

Objectives

Chinese correctional officers (COs) consist of frontline COs in direct contact with the prisoners and non-frontline COs (including administrative staff and professionals). Male COs compose the majority of Chinese COs, especially for frontline COs. Although they are quite susceptible to depressive symptoms due to highly risky and stressful working environment, few studies focus on this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and to explore its associated factors among Chinese male frontline and non-frontline COs.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed during the period of March/April 2011. The study population comprised of 1,900 male COs in four male prisons in a province of northeast China. A questionnaire including the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, demographic factors, work conditions, effort–reward imbalance questionnaire was distributed to these COs. A total of 1,494 effective respondents became our subjects (981 frontline COs and 513 non-frontline COs). Frontline and non-frontline COs were analyzed separately.

Results

Approximately 61.4 % of Chinese male COs had depressive symptoms (63.5 % in frontline COs and 57.3 % in non-frontline COs). Multivariate logistic analyses showed that effort–reward ratio, overcommitment, chronic disease, and threat perception were associated with depressive symptoms in frontline and non-frontline COs, whereas weekly work time had an effect only in frontline COs.

Conclusions

Chinese male COs, especially frontline COs, might have high-level prevalence of depressive symptoms. Moreover, this study had identified important risk factors that might be important in planning strategies for prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms for Chinese male COs.     

The benefits and challenges of a fitness and lifestyle enhancement program for correctional officers

This paper documents the benefits and difficulties encountered in the development of an on-site exercise and lifestyle enhancement program for correctional officers. 25 male correctional officers participated in a 6.5-week strength and aerobic training program integrated with penitentiary duties. 21 officers were available for retesting. The program was associated with decreases in body weight, skinfold thickness, cholesterol levels and increases in HDL-cholesterol, chest girth, strength scores and muscular endurance. Resting heart rates and systolic blood pressures were reduced but there was no significant change in maximal oxygen consumption. Furthermore, there were favourable changes in smoking and alcohol consumption, sleeping patterns, nutritional habits and tolerance of stress. These results are probably typical of what can be expected from a program of this type. We conclude that a brief at-work exercise and health enhancement program can exert positive but modest influences on the fitness, health and lifestyle of correctional officers, without undermining security of the institution. However, if this type of program is to achieve beneficial effects on health and fitness, a number of difficulties must be addressed.     

Public health implications of substandard correctional health care

US citizens face a growing threat of contracting communicable diseases owing to the high recidivism rate in state and federal prisons, poor screening and treatment of prisoners, and inferior follow-up health care upon their release. Insufficient education about communicable diseases--for prisoners and citizens alike--and other problems, such as prejudice against prisoners, escalating costs, and an unreliable correctional health care delivery system for inmates, all contribute to a public health problem that requires careful examination and correction for the protection of everyone involved.     

Self-reported health and prior health behaviors of newly admitted correctional inmates

OBJECTIVES: This study obtained comprehensive health information from newly admitted correctional inmates. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 1198 inmates on day 3 of their incarceration. RESULTS: Interviewers found a high prevalence of chronic medical and mental health issues, limited access to health care, high rates of infections and sexually transmitted diseases, substantial substance abuse, other unhealthy behaviors and violence, and a strong desire for help with health-related problems. CONCLUSIONS: The data document the need to apply the public health approach to correctional health care, including detection and early treatment of disease, education and prevention to facilitate health and behavior change, and continuity of care into the community.     

Work stress in aging police officers

Data are sparse regarding the impact of psychosocial work stress on the health and well-being of aging workers, even for employees working in high-stress occupations, such as law enforcement. To improve our understanding of this issue in older workers, we assessed and characterized work stress, coping strategies, and stress-related health outcomes in a sample of police officers aged 50 years and older (n = 105). The most important risk factors associated with officers' perceived work stress were maladaptive coping behaviors (e.g., excessive drinking or problem gambling) (odds ratio [OR], 4.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11 to 11.6) and exposure to critical incidents (e.g., shootings) (OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.71 to 8.65). In turn, perceived work stress was significantly associated with anxiety (OR, 6.84; 95% CI, 2.81 to 16.65), depression (OR, 9.27; 95% CI, 3.81 to 22.54), somatization (OR, 5.74; 95% CI, 2.47 to 13.33), posttraumatic stress symptoms (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.29 to 6.47), symptoms of "burnout" (OR, 5.93; 95% CI, 2.54 to 13.86), chronic back pain (OR, = 3.55; 95% CI, 1.57 to 8.06), alcohol abuse (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.45 to 7.22), and inappropriately aggressive behavior (OR, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.34 to 11.88). These data suggest that older workers in high-stress jobs may be at increased risk for work stress-related health problems, especially if they rely on risky health behaviors to cope with stress. Given the size of the rapidly aging US workforce and the likelihood that many are employed in high-stress jobs, interventions are urgently needed to address this emerging public health issue.     

Public health and correctional collaboration in tuberculosis control

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent that 20 large jail systems and their respective public health departments collaborate to prevent and control tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: Data were collected through questionnaires sent to jail medical directors and TB control directors, interviews, and on-site observation in each of the jails. RESULTS: Only 35% of jail systems and health departments reported having effective collaboration in TB prevention and control activities. Four barriers were reported by a majority of the jail systems: funding (65%), staffing (60%), staff training (55%), and communication (55%). Lack of advance notice of a patient's release was rated as the greatest barrier to discharge planning. Fifty percent of the jail systems reported that they scheduled appointments for soon-to-be released patients with TB, and 10% did so for patients being treated for latent TB infection (LTBI). Fewer patients actually received appointments: seven (39%) of 33 released patients with TB had documentation in their medical record of appointments, and one of 46 released patients on treatment for LTBI had them. Characteristics associated with increased collaboration include having designated liaisons between jail systems and health departments and holding periodic meetings of staff. CONCLUSIONS: Health departments and jail systems in the same jurisdiction have implemented recommendations regarding collaboration to a limited extent. Such collaborations need strengthening, especially discharge planning and evaluation of TB control activities.     

Mental health and satisfaction among tax officers

This study assessed the mental well-being and job satisfaction of a random sample of 318 tax officers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was found that tax officers were less satisfied with their jobs, and showed signs of mental stress in contrast with other normative groups. Using multivariate analysis, it was found that 'autocratic management style' was a strong predictor of job dissatisfaction, while 'qualitative and quantitative work overload' was the major source of lack of mental well-being.     

Occupational health problems of bridge and tunnel officers

Bridge and tunnel officers (BTOs) sustain potential exposure to a number of physical, chemical, and work-organizational factors. They are at risk for both fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries due to moving vehicles, workplace violence, vehicular fires, and physical hazards, such as slippery walking surfaces due to oil or ice on roadways. This chapter describes the spectrum of occupational injuries and illnesses which may be seen in BTOs, focusing on: 1) vehicular exhaust and air pollution, 2) ergonomic hazards, 3) job strain, 4) noise, 5) blood-borne pathogens, 6) chemicals used in road work and maintenance (e.g., lead-based paint), and 7) with the recent advent of electronic traffic sensors, microwave radiation. Special emphasis is given to respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease. Finally, some recommendations for focused health surveillance and preventive efforts in this population are made.     

Work characteristics and upper extremity disorders in female dental health workers

Many dental health workers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremities. In addition to ergonomic factors, psychosocial work characteristics have been linked to musculoskeletal disorders. The present cross-sectional study aimed at investigating how musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremities (UED) and occupational position are related to work characteristics and general health problems in female dental health workers. Questionnaire data from dentists, dental hygienists and dental nurses (N=945) showed that 81% reported UED. Multivariate analysis of variance showed that dentists reported the highest levels of physical load and fatigue whereas dental nurses reported the lowest levels of influence at work. Irrespective of position, those with UED considered their physical and psychosocial work environment and their own health to be significantly poorer than did those without UED. A hierarchical multiple regression showed that the physical load of dentistry was most strongly related to UED. Despite improvements to the ergonomics and physical work environment of dentistry, it is concluded that female dental health workers are still at high risk of developing UED.