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http://dx.doi.org/10.14367/kjhep.2013.30.3.047

Factors Relating to the Mental Health of Correctional Officers  

Lee, Hyo Young (Department of Health Administration, Dongseo University)
Im, Hyuk (Division of Social Welfare, Dongseo University)
Kim, Hye Sook (Department of Health Administration, Dongseo University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion / v.30, no.3, 2013 , pp. 47-58 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: Everyday correctional officers confront with so many criminals, so this situation could be a bad environment on correctional officer's mental health. But the study about their mental health status and related factors have rarely been focused, and besides, the actual mental health conditions of them have also been rarely investigated. Consequently, this study aimed to identify mental health status and related factors of correctional officers. Methods: Data were collected from July 10 to August 25, 2012. The Participants included 1,496 correctional officers in 50 correctional facilities. Results: The risk factors of mental health problems were living in urban region, 40 ages group, less experience in correctional field, unmarried marital status & not living with their spouse, over nine hours contact with criminals and so forth. On the other hand, stress coping methods were not related with socioeconomic and other factors. Conclusions: Lessening working hours or contact hours with criminals, providing a risk-group management for those who have many risk factors, making self-support group will be helpful to manage or promote their mental health status. Besides, employee assistance programs should be developed such as job stress management methods or counselling communication skills.
Keywords
Correctional officers; Mental Health; Factors;
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