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.