Corrections Work's Adverse Effects and a Total Worker Health Program to Enhance Well-being (Topic 2)

The applicant proposes to build on a current NIJ-funded research project that explores the stressors affecting correctional officers (2017-R2-CX-0036) by examining an approach to mitigate those stressors, including organizational stressors.

The applicant proposes to assess a health and wellness intervention among high stress correctional officers working in restrictive housing units. The NIOSH Total Worker Health (TWH) mindfulness and group-learning intervention will be administered to 114 participants. The intervention based on findings from an ongoing NIJ funded project (n=330) that showed stress was affecting cognitive functioning while on the job and that organizational stress was a significant contributor to overall officer stress. It is comprised of a 12 half-hour weekly meetings of coworkers in a segregation unit while on shift. It will be a combination of a short video, mindfulness activity, and a group learning activity. The intervention seeks to address both individual intrinsic levels of stress and organizational stressors from interpersonal conflicts by having coworkers run the sessions to develop shared norms and social support.

The intervention assessment will use a quasi-experimental pre- and post-intervention research design. The design will capture stress biomarkers and participant perceptions of individual and organizational stress. 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