Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Correctional Officers: A Biopsychosocial Approach

The applicant proposes a study to examine the effectiveness of an established intervention on reducing CO stress and trauma. This intervention has proven successful on addressing PTSD in military veterans. The proposed study will use a stratified randomized controlled design involving 220 COs off all ranks with varying levels of experience and supervising different classes of inmates. The sample will include 80 new employees participating in the Basic Academy New Officer Training with no correctional experience. The experimental group will receive an eight-week training and the control group will be waitlisted until all post-test and follow-up measures have been collected. Biological and psychological indicators of stress, along with mental health and occupational health outcomes will be assessed pre and post- intervention. All measures will be collected at baseline, post- intervention, and a 4-month follow-up, excluding the biological data, which will not becollectedatthe4-month follow-up.

Note: “This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF