A random sample of front-line workers in the Canadian federal prison system was asked in interviews to provide examples of stressful situations in their lives, and to report how they coped with these situations. A variety of other measures was obtained, including demographic information, lifestyle and health-related behaviors, personal dispositions, coping efficacy, and several adaptational outcomes, including job performance, health, and personal satisfaction. Results showed that subjects experienced a wide array of significant stressors both on and off the job, yet demonstrated high levels of coping efficacy. Scores on several standardized questionnaire measures of personal disposition were similar to those from comparable samples in the general population. Subjects were not particularly dissatisfied with their jobs, and appeared to be performing them well. The majority enjoyed good health and appeared moderately satisfied with their lives. Thus, in contrast to some previous reports, this contemporary sample of correctional workers seems to be reasonably effective and adaptive, with little evidence of unusual stress problems.
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