Psychological distress and work stress in correctional officers: a literature review

Association between social supports and negative emotions among pediatric residents in China: The chain-mediating role of psychological resilience and burnout

Background

Chinese pediatricians are facing challenges, and there is a need to examine the issue of negative emotions, namely, stress, anxiety and depression, among front-line pediatric residents in clinical settings. Understanding the current situation and influencing factors of negative emotions among pediatric residents in China and exploring the formation mechanism can lay a foundation for psychological interventions.

Methods

A total of 138 pediatric residents in the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China, were surveyed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS).

Results

(1) The incidence of abnormal stress, anxiety, and depression among pediatric residents was 18.8%, 47.8%, and 47.8% respectively. (2) Negative emotions were significantly negatively correlated with social supports and psychological resilience, and positively correlated with burnout. (3) The chain-mediating effect of resilience and burnout between social supports and negative emotions was significant.

Conclusion

Psychological resilience and burnout played a chain-mediating role between social supports and negative emotions. Measures should be taken to improve the mental health of Chinese pediatric residents.

Working conditions and common mental disorders in prison officers in the inland region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract The prison officer profession is characterized by working in risky situations, which can harm officers’ mental health. This research aimed to analyze prison officers’ working conditions associated with Common Mental Disorders (CMD). This cross-sectional study was conducted with prison officers in four penitentiary units in the inland region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from January to August 2019. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) tool was employed to quantify the presence of CMDs. Poisson regression verified the association between variables with robust variance and adjusted for confounding factors to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The study population comprised 331 prison officers (ASP), with a 33.5% frequency of CMDs. CMDs were higher among prison officers with a worse perception of working conditions (PR: 1.13; 95%CI%: 1.03-1.24), who suffered insults (PR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.08-1.29), psychological harassment (PR: 1.23; 95%CI: 1.11-1.36) and sexual harassment (PR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.03-1.40) in the last 12 months. CMDs were associated with work-related variables, such as worse environmental conditions within the prison and psychological and sexual violence.

Condições de trabalho e transtornos mentais comuns em agentes penitenciários do interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Resumo A profissão de agente de segurança penitenciária (ASP) se caracteriza pelo trabalho em situações de perigo, o que pode desencadear prejuízos à sua saúde mental. O objetivo desta investigação foi analisar as condições de trabalho associadas aos transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) em ASP. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com ASP de quatro unidades prisionais do interior do estado de São Paulo, de janeiro a agosto de 2019. Para mensurar a presença de TMC, utilizou-se o instrumento Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). A associação entre as variáveis foi verificada por meio de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, ajustada por fatores de confusão para a estimação da razão de prevalência (RP) e intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. A população de análise foi constituída por 331 ASP, com frequência de TMC de 33,5%. A presença de TMC foi mais elevada entre os ASP com pior percepção sobre as condições de trabalho (RP: 1,13; IC95%: 1,03-1,24), que sofreram insultos (RP: 1,18; IC95%: 1,08-1,29), assédio moral (RP: 1,23; IC95%: 1,11-1,36) e assédio sexual (RP: 1,20; IC95%: 1,03-1,40), nos últimos 12 meses. O TMC apresentou associação com variáveis relacionadas ao trabalho, tais como piores condições do ambiente no interior do cárcere e ocorrência de violências psicológica e sexual.

Association between sleep quality and occupational factors in Brazilian correctional officers

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the occupational factors associated with poor sleep quality in correctional officers (COs).

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional study involving COs who work at four prison facilities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Logistic and linear regression models were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and beta coefficient (β) of poor sleep quality and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. The analyses were adjusted for the main confounders.

RESULTS

Considering the 256 male COs who participated in the study, 148 (57.8%) had poor sleep quality. In the adjusted analyses, poor sleep quality was associated with higher mental demands (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.40-6.85), having suffered psychological violence at work (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.04-4.35), agreeing with the following statement: "I think about work-related issues in my free time" (OR = 5.13; 95% CI: 1.26-20.78), feeling partially dissatisfied (OR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.09-4.68) or dissatisfied with work (OR = 4.52; CI: 1.32-15.46) and willingness to find another job (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.53-6.71). The occupational factors dissatisfaction with work (β = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.05-1.98) and having health problems related to the work environment (β = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.24-2.41) were also associated with higher scores on the PSQI.

CONCLUSION

Poor quality of sleep is a highly frequent health problem among correctional officers, and this condition is associated with the perception of poor working conditions, professional dissatisfaction and the fact that such professionals think about work during their free time.

Types of demands and well-being in correctional officers: The protective role of psychological capital

BACKGROUND

Correctional officers' personal resources, such as psychological capital (PsyCap), may help them better manage their work environment in the penitentiary; however, there is limited research on the relationship between indicators of well-being and types of demands in this cohort and whether this relationship depends on PsyCap.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine three types of demands (job, personal, and group) and the effect of each on three indicators of low well-being: burnout, physical and mental health complaints. We also tested the potential moderating role of PsyCap in the relationship between the three types of demands and indicators of well-being.

METHODS

The potential moderating role of personal resources (PsyCap) between demands and well-being was tested via hierarchical multiple regression on a sample of 350 correctional officers.

RESULTS

Results show that psychological capital attenuates the effect of personal distress and negative team relationships on all three indicators of low well-being. Psychological capital also moderates the relation between work-family conflict and mental health complaints. However, it does not act as a moderator between work-family conflict and burnout or physical health complaints.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings are of value because they emphasize the importance of psychological capital, as a personal and malleable resource, for the occupational health of correctional officers.

De Opressores a Oprimidos: Estressores Psicossociais e Satisfação Laboral de Agentes Prisionais

Resumo Em sua proposição de analisar a relação entre estressores psicossociais e satisfação no trabalho dos responsáveis pela custódia dos presos no sistema tradicional e na Associação de Proteção e Assistência aos Condenados - APAC, o estudo envolveu 206 participantes, que responderam às escalas para avaliação de estressores psicossociais e de satisfação no trabalho e ao formulário sociodemográfico. Após avaliação das propriedades psicométricas dos instrumentos, análises de regressão hierárquica foram desenvolvidas. Os estressores explicaram a variância da satisfação no trabalho, independentemente do tipo de sistema prisional, que também demonstrou capacidade explicativa, indicando maiores níveis de satisfação laboral no método APAC. Os aspectos intrínsecos ao trabalho foram preditores de todas as dimensões de satisfação, seguidos por falta de suporte social e pressão do grau de responsabilidade. A satisfação com a chefia foi a variável mais sensível aos estressores. Os achados salientam a importância da ambiência psicossocial para o bem ou mal-estar dos trabalhadores.

Factors associated with a change in smoking habit during the first COVID-19 lockdown: an Italian cross-sectional study among ever-smokers

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown period lasted from March to May 2020, resulted in a highly stressful situation yielding different negative health consequences, including the worsening of smoking habit.

METHODS

A web-based cross-sectional study on a convenient sample of 1013 Italian ever smokers aged 18 years or more was conducted. Data were derived from surveys compiled by three different groups of people: subjects belonging to Smoking Cessation Services, Healthcare Providers and Nursing Sciences' students. All institutions were from Northern Italy. The primary outcome self-reported worsening (relapse or increase) or improvement (quit or reduce) of smoking habit during lockdown period. Multiple unconditional (for worsening) and multinomial (for improving) logistic regressions were carried out.

RESULTS

Among 962 participants, 56.0% were ex-smokers. Overall, 13.2% of ex-smokers before lockdown reported relapsing and 32.7% of current smokers increasing cigarette intake. Among current smokers before lockdown, 10.1% quit smoking and 13.5% decreased cigarette intake. Out of 7 selected stressors related to COVID-19, four were significantly related to relapse (OR for the highest vs. the lowest tertile ranging between 2.24 and 3.62): fear of being infected and getting sick; fear of dying due to the virus; anxiety in listening to news of the epidemic; sense of powerlessness in protecting oneself from contagion. In addition to these stressors, even the other 3 stressors were related with increasing cigarette intensity (OR ranging between 1.90 and 4.18): sense of powerlessness in protecting loved ones from contagion; fear of losing loved ones due to virus; fear of infecting other.

CONCLUSION

The lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with both self-reported relapse or increase smoking habit and also quitting or reduction of it.

Assessing Relative Stressors and Mental Disorders among Canadian Provincial Correctional Workers

In the current study, we quantified the mean stress levels of 43 occupational stressors for 868 Correctional Workers (CWs) and analyzed the relationships between occupational stressors, exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), and mental health disorders. Our findings emphasize the importance of the occupational environment in relation to CW mental health and indicate that occupational stressors (e.g., staff shortages, inconsistent leadership style, bureaucratic red tape) are more salient contributors to CW mental health than exposure to PPTEs. Finding strategies to ameliorate staff shortages, improve leadership style and communication, and support CWs to maintain physical, mental, and social well-being would be interventions tied to significant organizational and operational stressors within the current study.

A Study on the Psycho-social Factors Associated with the Mental Health of Uniformed Personnel in Internally Displaced Persons' Camps in Nigeria

This study explored the psycho-social factors associated with the mental health of uniformed personnel in Internally Displaced Persons' (IDP) camps in Nigeria. A quantitative research methodology was adopted using a descriptive survey. A total of 500 uniformed personnel, comprising of 311 males and 189 females in 5 IDP camps, were recruited. The findings revealed that age, social support, job satisfaction and occupational stress were significantly associated with mental health. Additionally, occupational stress and job satisfaction were found to predict the mental health status of the participants. It was concluded that the relevant agencies and the public should be concerned with the mental health status of uniformed personnel in IDP camps.

Insomnia among Prison Officers and Its Relationship with Occupational Burnout: The Role of Coping with Stress in Polish and Indonesian Samples

Thus far, data on sleep disorders among prison officers (POs) have been scarce. Research allows us to relate this problem to occupational stress, which POs experience every day. The aim of the current study was to analyze the scale, predictors, and impact of select factors on the relationship between insomnia and occupational burnout. This study was carried out on a sample of 376 Indonesian and 288 Polish POs using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) inventory, and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Results showed that 43.4% of the Polish sample exhibited early symptoms of insomnia, compared to 26.1% of the Indonesian sample. Sleep disorders had a significant role in developing occupational burnout. In both samples, coping strategies such as help-seeking and engagement were revealed to have a mediating role in the relationship between insomnia and occupational burnout dimensions. For the total sample and for the Polish sample, the coping strategy of help-seeking was the only predictor of insomnia. Discrepancies (concerning the role of age, gender, and multi-shift work) were observed between the current results and earlier studies. The current study's limitations were discussed and new solutions were proposed.

Major depressive disorder in detention officers

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in detention officers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included all detention officers from the largest prison complex in the state of Bahia, Brazil. A self-reported questionnaire collected sociodemographic, occupational and health data. The outcome variable - MDD - was evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and classified by the cut-off point ≥ 10 method and the algorithm method. The association measure used was the prevalence ratio (PR). Following Cox multivariate regression, the variables were divided into two blocks: sociodemographic characteristics and work, in that order. Only variables with adjusted PR (PRadj) ≥ 1.30 were selected to compose the final models.

RESULTS

The MDD prevalence by the cut-off point ≥ 10 (simple) and algorithm method in the 401 officers investigated was 18.8% and 9.3%, respectively. MDD prevalence by cut-off point ≥ 10 was higher in female officers (PRadj = 2.77), who suffered threat from factions (PRadj = 2.05), did not report institutional training for the position (PRadj = 1.38), stated that the environment and working conditions interfered in their physical health (PRadj = 3.51) and performed stress-generating activities (PRadj in increasing gradient). MDD prevalence by the algorithm method was higher in female agents (PRadj = 3.45), with tertiary education (PRadj = 1.71), who stated that the environment and working conditions interfered in their physical health (PRadj = 6.33), suffered threat from factions (PRadj = 2.14), did not report institutional training (PRadj = 1.50) and have frequent contact with inmates at work (PRadj = 1.48).

CONCLUSION

The high MDD prevalence in these detention officers was associated with sociodemographic factors and, especially, aspects of their work.

Fatores associados ao sofrimento psíquico de agentes penitenciários do estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Resumo Objetivos: analisar o sofrimento psíquico de agentes penitenciários do estado do Rio de Janeiro e apontar os fatores a ele associados no âmbito social, destacando o ambiente de trabalho. Métodos: estudo quantitativo e qualitativo. As unidades prisionais foram selecionadas por meio da amostragem estratificada. Utilizou-se a escala de sofrimento psíquico Self-Reported Questionnaire (SRQ20) e uma escala de apoio social. Variáveis explicativas foram relacionadas tanto ao perfil profissional como aos fatores de âmbito social e do trabalho e foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística (stepwise). Resultados: participaram 217 homens e 100 mulheres, em nove unidades prisionais femininas e masculinas. A prevalência de sofrimento psíquico foi de 27,7%, sem diferenças segundo o gênero. Os sintomas mais frequentes foram: dormir mal (53,0%) e sentir-se nervoso, tenso ou agitado (52,0%). Entre os possíveis fatores que propiciam o sofrimento psíquico, estão: relacionamento interpessoal entre agentes e presos; ameaças constantes; superlotação; poucos profissionais e sobrecarga de trabalho. E entre os possíveis fatores protetores, estão: praticar alguma religião; ter apoio social; contar com a compreensão dos colegas; ter o reconhecimento de seu trabalho e relacionar-se bem com superiores. Conclusão: a superlotação e a insalubridade do ambiente trazem consequências negativas para a saúde mental dos trabalhadores; no entanto, formas de apoio social e valorização profissional podem protegê-los.

Vulnerabilidade ao Estresse entre Agentes de Segurança Penitenciários

Resumo As atividades do Agente de Segurança Penitenciário podem torná-lo vulnerável ao estresse, devido a fatores como pressão por trabalho em longos turnos, ambiente tenso e constante exposição ao perigo. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo, de viés quantitativo, descritivo, comparativo e correlacional, com o objetivo de avaliar a vulnerabilidade ao estresse entre Agentes de Segurança Penitenciários de uma unidade prisional do interior de Minas Gerais. Foram aplicados os instrumentos: entrevista estruturada, seguida de “Escala de Vulnerabilidade ao Estresse no Trabalho”. A amostra foi de 95 Agentes de Segurança Penitenciários que mantêm contato direto com os presos. Foram obtidos os seguintes resultados: a) no geral, a “vulnerabilidade ao estresse” nos Agentes de Segurança Penitenciários da unidade prisional foi dada como superior em 53,7% da amostra; b) quanto ao “clima e funcionamento organizacional”, a classificação foi médio superior; c) no fator “pressão no trabalho”, a vulnerabilidade foi médio superior; d) quanto ao fator “infraestrutura e rotina”, a vulnerabilidade foi classificada como superior em 70,5% dos agentes. Foi constatado que os solteiros têm maior vulnerabilidade ao estresse em todos os fatores pesquisados. Concluiu-se que os Agentes de Segurança Penitenciários da unidade prisional do interior de Minas Gerais estão vulneráveis ao estresse, devendo ser elaboradas políticas públicas para combater o fenômeno.

Lesão com infecção secundária e sequelas graves causadas por um peixe-robalo (Centropomus spp.) em um pescador

Resumo Introdução: ferimentos causados por peixes são comuns entre pescadores e, se não forem adequadamente assistidos, podem levar a complicações significativas. Objetivo: reportar o caso de um pescador que se acidentou com um camurim/robalo (Centropomus spp.) e apresentou infecção secundária com sequelas graves. Métodos: as informações foram obtidas por meio de revisão de prontuários, entrevista com o paciente e registro fotográfico. Resultados: um pescador de 48 anos se acidentou, com a espícula da base da nadadeira do peixe, na falange do quinto quirodáctilo da mão esquerda, apresentando sinais flogísticos em todo o membro. O serviço de saúde não dispunha de condições para identificar o agente da infecção e diferentes antibióticos foram administrados. Sem resultados expressivos, a terapia antibiótica foi suspensa e foi adotado tratamento sintomático. Após 32 dias de hospitalização, o paciente teve alta. No entanto, dois meses após o acidente, a vítima desenvolveu abscesso do membro com limitação de movimentos dos quirodáctilos, necessitando de procedimento cirúrgico. Após o controle da infecção, apresentou sequelas como atrofia muscular, perda parcial de movimento, redução da capacidade motora, sensibilidade local e aparência da mão em garra. Conclusão: lesões causadas por peixes em pescadores podem resultar em consequências graves e irreversíveis e mais atenção deve ser dada ao tema.

An investigation into the South African correctional officers’ experiences of their work and the Employee Assistance Programme

The purpose of the study was to investigate South African correctional officer’s experiences of their work and Employee Assistance Programme and the meaning that they attach to it. A qualitative approach was utilised. Individual interviews were conducted with 20 participants utilising a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. Seven themes with various subthemes were derived from the data analysis. The findings suggest that correctional officers are confronted with various challenges daily. Officers revealed that their work and work environment had a negative impact on their physical and psychological health as well as their family life. Furthermore, officers reported that aspects of their well-being are neglected. Various coping mechanisms were utilised by correctional officers, which seems to act as a buffer against the negative effects of their stressful work and work environment. A variety of barriers that prevent officers from using the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service at work were identified. Despite the barriers, correctional officers recognised the overall positive value of the EAP service in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). They also appear to find meaning in their work. Some correctional officers derive great satisfaction from their job while others experience a sense of reward as a result of the role that they play in the rehabilitation of inmates.

Work Engagement among Prison Officers. The Role of Individual and Organizational Factors in the Polish and Indonesian Penitentiary Systems

The literature on work engagement among prison officers (POs) remains rather scarce, and there are no analyses on the factors determining this phenomenon. The current study aimed to examine the relationships between work engagement, subjective well-being, coping strategies, and organizational factors utilizing the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), and Cantril’s Ladder of Health Scale (CLHS), and involving 312 POs from Poland and 467 POs from Indonesia. Results showed a statistically significant relationship between active coping and work engagement in both groups. Subjective well-being was moderately related to work engagement among Polish POs. Mean work engagement and subjective well-being scores were higher among Indonesian POs. The analyses showed a significant indirect effect of subjective well-being for the relationship between penitentiary unit type, active coping, as well as avoidant behaviors and work engagement in the Polish group. Closed prison officers more often declared higher subjective well-being. Work engagement is a complex psychological phenomenon. There exists a justified need for the analyses to consider personal determinants (e.g., coping strategies) as well as organizational factors related to the POs’ work environment. The literature presents a broad picture of the benefits of studying this phenomenon.

Burnout among nurses and correctional officers

BACKGROUND

The work of nurses and correctional officers alike has long been pointed at as among the most stressful in the world.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim was to evaluate the prevalence and level of occupational burnout among 214 hospital nurses and 201 correctional officers from Bulgaria. One of the focuses was to examine whether gender roles or occupational roles were more related to burnout.

METHODS

The current work used a descriptive cross-sectional inter-occupational comparative survey design. The participation was voluntary, individually and anonymously without any financial compensation. The only qualification in the sample selection was that the employee had direct contact with patients and inmates respectively. A translated MBI-Bulgarian version was used to measure burnout. Data were entered into SPSS17.0 to carry out data analysis.

RESULTS

The level of emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment of nurses were significantly higher than that of correctional officers. Mean depersonalization score of correctional officers was significantly higher than that of nurses. Correctional officers demonstrated a higher prevalence of burnout syndrome compared with nurses. To examine whether gender is associated with burnout, Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to assess gender differences of correctional officers. Our results suggest that being male or female is not a critical determinant of burnout.

CONCLUSION

Correctional officers were found to have a higher prevalence of burnout syndrome compared with nurses.

Associated Factors of Quality of Life in Prison Officers, Brazil

This study analyzed factors associated with the quality of life (QoL) of prison officers (POs) in the Midwest Region of Brazil. POs in five penitentiary units participated in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data were obtained through face to face interview and a World Health Organization Quality of Life abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was applied to assess QoL. Student's t-test or ANOVA were used for bivariate analysis and multiple linear regression was applied for adjusted analysis. The domains used for outcomes were: physical, psychological, social relations, and the environment. The lowest score among WHOQOL-BREF domains was environment (59.9; 95%CI 58.0-61.5). After adjustment, the factors associated with the physical domain were 'female sex' and 'no history of workplace PO-PO violence'; factors associated with the psychological domain were 'female sex', 'without spouse', and 'no history of inmate-PO violence'; factors associated with the social relationships domain were 'female sex', 'work experience in years', 'no higher education', 'no private health insurance', and 'no history of inmate-PO violence'; and factors associated with environment domain were 'female sex', 'work experience in years', 'no private health insurance', and 'no history of PO-PO violence'. This study showed that female workers and those with a history of violence at work had worse QoL scores. This investigation highlights the importance of prison management in promoting QoL of POs, as well as support and development of strategies to prevent workplace violence.

Self-esteem and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances in outsourced workers

Objective

to evaluate self-esteem, the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other substances in outsourced workers of a public university.

Method

a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional, quantitative study developed with 316 outsourced workers from a municipality in the Southeast of Brazil. Data was collected through a characterization tool, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, odds ratio and logistic regression.

Results

the majority of workers had high self-esteem and some used alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and inhalants. A significant association between gender, age group and work shift with self-esteem; between the risk of developing problems related to alcohol consumption with sex, age group, marital status, religious belief and number of children; between the practice of physical activity and the risk of developing problems related to the consumption of tobacco products was found.

Conclusion

this study contributes to the increase of knowledge due to the small number of researches involving this subject and to contribute to the nurses to have subsidies to work with this population using strategies to combat the triggers of psychic disorders.

Protective and risk factors for depressive mood and anxiety against occupational stress: examining temperament character and coping strategy among civil servants

This study investigated protective and risk factors for depressive mood and anxiety against occupational stress, including temperament character and coping strategy, among civil servants. We administered a questionnaire that included demographic factors and psychological scales to 1197 Korean civil servants. High levels of occupational stress, temperaments of novelty seeking and harm avoidance, a character of cooperativeness, and using emotion-focused coping were risk factors for depressive mood, while living with a partner, having a character of self-directedness, and using problem-focused strategies were protective factors. Additionally, female gender, high level of occupational stress, and temperaments of novelty seeking and harm avoidance were risk factors for anxiety, while having a character of self-directedness was a protective factor. Assessment of temperament character and training on effective coping strategies may help address depressive mood and anxiety for civil servants.

Workplace burnout and health issues among Colombian correctional officers

Introduction

Correctional employees typically work under adverse conditions that may enhance the occurrence of different negative psychological states. Burnout constitutes a high-risk phenomenon that may affect people’s physical/mental health and welfare, especially in vulnerable occupational groups.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to characterize the burnout profile of correctional officers, and to associate their burnout profile with health issues and lifestyle factors.

Methods

The full sample was composed of 219 Colombian correctional officers with a mean age of 30.18 years. A questionnaire composed of three sections was employed: demographic data, burnout, and health information.

Results

A high proportion of participants reported burnout indicators, also significantly correlated to their health indicators and lifestyle factors. Cluster analyses were used in order to characterize the burnout/age (model A) and burnout/age/psychological disturbance (model B) profiles of correctional officers. Furthermore, significant differences were found when comparing frequencies of alcohol consumption and physical exercise (lifestyle indicators) and perceived social support of officers depending on their profile.

Conclusions

the discussion focused on the negative impact of burnout on health, and on the importance of strengthening occupational programs aimed at reducing the impact of hazardous working conditions that contribute to the development of burnout, and to the arise different mid and long-term health complains among correctional workers.

The relationship between occupational stress, health status, and temporary and permanent work disability among security guards in Serbia

Purpose. This study aimed to examine the influence of occupational stress on health status and work disability among security guards in Serbia. Methods. Three hundred and ninty nine male security guards (aged 25-65 years) were examined during regular medical preventive check-ups at the Institute of Occupational Health. Data on their health status and permanent and temporary work disability were obtained, and correlations with the levels of occupational stress (measured by occupational stress index [OSI] questionnaire) were analysed. Results. A high prevalence of health impairments, including diabetes (38.8%), dyslipidaemia (82.7%), hypertension (69.9%) and metabolic syndrome (77.7%), was found. Highly significant correlations were shown between reported levels of total stress at work (total OSI score) and measured values of glucose, lipids, blood pressure, heart rate, Framingham cardiovascular risk scale, occurrence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular insults, degenerative eye-fundus changes, and temporary and permanent work disability. All of these correlations remained significant even after adjustments for age, body mass index and smoking status. Regression analysis confirmed the independent effect of occupational stress on the analysed parameters. Conclusions. There is a significant independent impact of occupational stress on development of health impairments and work disability among security guards.

Do Personality Characteristics Constitute the Profile of Burnout-Prone Correctional Officers?

AIM:

This study examined the relationship between personality characteristics and burnout syndrome among Bulgarian correctional officers.

METHODS:

The cross-sectional study took place through individual, voluntary and anonymous interviewing of 307 employees from three district prisons. Maslach burnout inventory, Eysenck personality questionnaire and demographic characteristics were administered.

RESULTS:

The personality predictors of emotional exhaustion were low emotional stability and low level of dimension extraversion. The predictors of depersonalization were high levels of neuroticism and psychoticism and low level of extraversion.

CONCLUSION:

This research helps to identify employees who are at risk for developing burnout as a result of their personalities. In Bulgaria, there is still no official information about studies in this area.

Associations between psychological stress and smoking, drinking, obesity, and high blood pressure in an upper middle-income country in the African region

The direction and magnitude of the associations between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and psychological stress continue to be debated, and no data are available from surveys in the African region. In this study, we examine the associations between CVRFs and psychological stress in the Seychelles, a rapidly developing small island state in the African region. A survey was conducted in 1,240 adults aged 25-64 years representative of the Seychelles. Participants were asked to rank psychological stress that they had experienced during the past 12 months in four domains: work, social life, financial situation, and environment around home. CVRFs (high blood pressure, tobacco use, alcohol drinking, and obesity) were assessed using standard procedures. Psychological stress was associated with age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Overall, there were only few consistent associations between psychological stress and CVRFs, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Social stress was associated with smoking, drinking, and obesity, and there were marginal associations between stress at work and drinking, and between financial stress, and smoking and drinking. Psychological stress was not associated with high blood pressure. These findings suggest that psychological stress should be considered in cardiovascular disease prevention and control strategies.

Controle a Céu Aberto: Medo e Processos de Subjetivação no Cotidiano de Agentes Penitenciários

Resumo A categoria de agente penitenciário (AP) pode ser classificada como uma ocupação arriscada e estressante, podendo levar a distúrbios físicos e psicológicos. Embora alguns estudos versem sobre as condições de saúde desses trabalhadores, poucos são aqueles que discutem o impacto do trabalho na subjetividade dos agentes penitenciários. Nesse sentido, esta pesquisa teve por objetivo mapear os processos de subjetivação presentes no cotidiano dos trabalhadores do sistema penitenciário, em uma cidade do nordeste do Brasil. Para isso, foi feito o acompanhamento da rotina de trabalho de uma equipe de AP durante cinco meses, totalizando 168 horas de observação. Além disso, foram realizadas entrevistas com agentes penitenciários e seus familiares. Os resultados apontam para a construção da figura do “bandido perigoso”, que, no cotidiano prisional, ajuda a forjar subjetividades policialescas, punitivas e sobretudo violadoras de direitos. Além disso, tais linhas de força atuam produzindo modos de vida amedrontados e despotencializados, produzindo um controle biopolítico sobre agentes e seus familiares.

Saúde Penitenciária, Promoção de Saúde e Redução de Danos do Encarceramento: Desafios para a Prática do Psicólogo no Sistema Prisional

Resumo Este trabalho visa discutir o papel do psicólogo na garantia do direito à saúde no âmbito do sistema prisional. O trabalho do psicólogo em prisões ainda se encontra atrelado à realização dos exames criminológicos, que afasta grande parte dos profissionais de atuações mais inventivas e voltadas à garantia de direitos. Por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica, indicaremos alguns dos principais desafios no campo da saúde penitenciária, que, nas recentes pesquisas qualitativas, apontam também para a percepção dos problemas e as estratégias no enfrentamento às graves condições de insalubridade. Consideramos que a Psicologia pode contribuir para a intersetorialidade entre os campos da execução penal e do direito à saúde. Ainda que a questão da saúde penitenciária seja enormemente prejudicada pelo superencarceramento e pelas péssimas condições do sistema prisional brasileiro, os profissionais da Psicologia – aliados aos demais técnicos e funcionários do sistema penal – podem ter um importante papel para a redução dos danos dos efeitos do encarceramento, desde que sua prática seja contextualizada e comprometida com a garantia dos direitos humanos.

Manicômio Judiciário e Agentes Penitenciários: entre Reprimir e Cuidar

Resumo Os manicômios judiciários são instituições destinadas a acolher pessoas que cometem crimes e que, por motivo de doença ou deficiência mental, são consideradas inimputáveis, também tratadas como “louco infrator” ou “paciente judiciário”. O presente artigo, baseado em pressupostos críticos da Psicologia do Trabalho, discute resultados obtidos a partir de uma pesquisa de mestrado em um manicômio judiciário de Minas Gerais. O estudo buscou compreender a atividade dos agentes penitenciários, responsáveis por garantir a ordem e a segurança do estabelecimento e de todos os indivíduos ali presentes. Constatou-se que sua atividade não se restringe à segurança, mas que abrange o cuidado, o envolvimento afetivo e a preocupação com os indivíduos custodiados naquela instituição. Se o trabalho de agente penitenciário é socialmente marginalizado, verificou-se que ele é valorizado pelos sujeitos que o executam, mesmo que estes se deparem com a ambivalência inerente à natureza do manicômio judiciário. Entre a prescrição de reprimir e o apelo a cuidar, os agentes enfrentam uma realidade marcada pelo duplo sofrimento do paciente judiciário: o rótulo da loucura e a privação da liberdade.