NCJ Number
179882
Journal
Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: October 1999 Pages: 26-34
Date Published
1999
Length
9 pages
Annotation
An exploratory study focused on the relationship between social resources in the work setting and job stress among correctional treatment staff and revealed that personnel who reported quality personal relationships in the work setting also experienced fewer stressors at work.
Abstract
The 28 participants were the correctional treatment staff at an adult male correctional facility with 548 inmates. The participants completed Cooper's Job Stress Questionnaire and the Work Relationships Index. Results supported the hypothesis that a negative relationship existed between the measure of job stress and work resources. The treatment employees who perceived their work settings as having high involvement (concern and commitment to the job), high coworker cohesion (support and friendliness among the staff), and high levels of support by supervisors (managerial support and managerial encouragement of support among staff members) experienced few stressors at work. Findings provided support for the usefulness of the Work Relationships Index in total institutions such as prisons. Further research should also take place to examine how work settings affect various workers and work groups in the correctional setting and on methods of studying special-purpose work groups such as the rehabilitation staff in prisons. Table and 54 references