Occupational Stressors and Mental Health Disorders: A National Study of Correctional Service Providers in Canada’s Provincial and Territorial Systems

Abstract

Correctional workers (CWs) experience organizational (e.g., staff shortages, administrative burdens) and operational stressors (e.g., exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events [PPTEs]) when completing their occupational responsibilities. In the current Canadian study, we assessed the average stress levels for diverse organizational and operational stressors among CWs across occupational groups (e.g., institutional operational, correctional officers, community operations, management, and administrators), provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and pre versus during COVID-19. We examined the relationships between 40 work-related stressors, including PPTE exposures and prevalence of positive screens for several mental health disorders (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder). Results further evidence organizational and operational stressors beyond PPTE as being correlates of mental health challenges among CWs. Reducing organizational stress by increasing staffing and leadership training, improving communication and access to specialized treatment resources, mitigating PPTE exposures, and supporting collegial relationships may all potentiate improvements for the mental health of CWs.