Defining the Impact of Stress and Traumatic Events on Correctional Officers

The applicant proposes a 3-year study to develop a method of identifying correctional officers (COs) at high risk as the result of chronic work- related stress. There are two parts to the study. The first involves a prospective 18-month observational study of approximately 400 COs from one medium- and one maximum-security facility. The goal of this study is to relate stress levels to a) correctional work-related contributors to stress, and b) impacts of stress on work performance (represented as number of missed working days) and economic costs (of those missed workdays). Data will be collected through surveys. Based on the results of the first part of this study, a sub-cohort of 60 officers will be identified: 30 with higher and 30 with lower stress levels. Those 60 officers will be subjected to an extensive assessment including ±MRI imaging and collection of biomarkers of hormonal dysregulation and cardio metabolic risk. By comparing different biomarkers against perceived stress measures and ±MRI changes, the applicant proposes to build the first stress index for COs. This index could be used to identify COs for targeted interventions or index effects of worksite-wide programs to reduce or mitigate chronic stress among COs. 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.