Arbeidsmiljø i et toppsikret fengsel. Konfrontasjoner, utbrenthet og mestring

• Main Authors: Wadseth, John Petter, Ommedal, Siv
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: Norwegian

This study examined social and psychological factors at work, interpersonal contact including various types of confrontations with inmates, burnout, and copingstrategies among correctional employees in one of the biggest correctional institutions in Norway, Ullersmo fengsel. The findings revealed that contact with inmates seems to be one of the work conditions most related to job stress in this correctional institution of the present study. The experience of confrontations (harassment, threats, violence) with inmates was found to be closely related to experienced work stress among correctional officers. Confrontations with inmates, especially violence, also seemed to be related to burnout. Consistent with previous research findings, an instrumentally focused coping strategy showed a significant negative association with burnout, emotion focused coping, on the other hand, was positively related to burnout scores. We also examined gender differences in relation to experience of confrontations, burnout, and coping. Women reported fewer confrontations with inmates than do men, and significantly fewer burnout symptoms. We found no significant differences between male and female correctional employees regarding coping strategies. The findings were discussed in light of previous research. Suggestions for future interventions are addressed.