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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until April 27, 2025

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Occupational Risks for Correctional Nursing: Assessing Job Stress and Implications for Worker Safety and Wellbeing

Keller, Elizabeth
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0360-8498
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684771963301543

Abstract Details

2023, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Nursing: Nursing - Doctoral Program.
Problem: Correctional nurses in the United States (U.S.) are known to work in inherently stressful environments due to the punitive nature of correctional facilities paired with staffing shortages, low resources, overcrowding, violence, and deteriorating living conditions of incarcerated persons. Prolonged and increased Job Stress may negatively impact the health and Wellbeing of those nurses that work within these environments. Poor Wellbeing leads to worse quality of life, impacted by poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Additionally, Job Stress may adversely affect both patient and organizational outcomes, by impacting quality of care provided, increasing costs of sick days, and high turnover rates for facilities. The purpose of this manuscript format dissertation was to evaluate the impact that work has on the Wellbeing of correctional nurses through three distinct projects. Methods: Project 1 explored the current state of evidence regarding the correctional nurse working environment and identified causes of stress and burnout through an integrative review of the literature. Project 2 used a cross-sectional online REDCap survey of a sample of 270 U.S. correctional nurses to describe Organizational Characteristics (i.e., Job Demands, Job Control, Managerial Support, Colleague Support, Workplace Relationships), Job Stress, and Wellbeing levels in this group. Using the same dataset from Project 2 and guidance from the Job Demands-Resources Theory, Project 3 tested a model to determine the direct relationship between Organizational Characteristics and nurses’ self-reported Wellbeing through multiple linear regression modeling. Project 3 also explored the mediating effect of Job Stress on the relationship between correctional Organizational Characteristics and correctional nurse Wellbeing through structural equation modeling. Findings: Project 1 included analysis of 11 articles that met inclusion criteria. Results revealed Job Stressors of conflict, fear, and demands across nurses in varying correctional environments. Project 2 revealed moderate Job Stress (M = 16.26, SD = 7.14) and Wellbeing levels just below the risk for adverse events (M = 1.8, SD = 3.06) among U.S. correctional nurses. Lower organizational characteristic scores were noted for Managerial Support (M = 3.13, SD = 0.35) and Job Demands (M = 3.56, SD = 0.922). Registered nurses and those who worked in U.S. prisons had the highest Job Stress and worst Wellbeing levels. Project 3 results included evidence of a good model fit. There was a significant, direct impact of Job Demands, Job Control, relationships, and Job Stress on Wellbeing. Job Stress also significantly mediated the effect of Job Control and Job Demands on Wellbeing. Conclusion: Results have uncovered stressors of conflict, fear, and demands in the correctional nursing environment. Such stressors may contribute to the overall prevalence of moderate Job Stress and varying Wellbeing levels across different groups of correctional nurses. The study’s conceptual model advances what is known about how Job Demands, Job Control, Workplace Relationships, and Job Stress impact the Wellbeing of U.S. correctional nurses. This work is an essential next step in promoting healthy workspaces, urging the need for further exploration to inform what targeted interventions may help to reduce Job Stress and improve Wellbeing for U.S. correctional nurses.
Gordon Gillespie, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Kermit Davis, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Samantha Boch, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Beverly Hittle, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
179 p.
Nursing
occupational health; forensic nursing; job stress; wellbeing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Keller, E. (2023). Occupational Risks for Correctional Nursing: Assessing Job Stress and Implications for Worker Safety and Wellbeing [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684771963301543

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Keller, Elizabeth. Occupational Risks for Correctional Nursing: Assessing Job Stress and Implications for Worker Safety and Wellbeing. 2023. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684771963301543.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Keller, Elizabeth. "Occupational Risks for Correctional Nursing: Assessing Job Stress and Implications for Worker Safety and Wellbeing." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1684771963301543

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1684771963301543
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.