From oppressors to oppressed: psychosocial stressors and job satisfaction among correctional officers

Abstract In its proposal to analyze the relationship between psychosocial stressors and job satisfaction among correctional officers in the traditional system and Association for Protection and Assistance to Convicts - (APAC), the study included 206 participants, who completed the questionnaires for assessing psychosocial stressors, job satisfaction, and sociodemographic data. Psychometric properties of the instruments were evaluated and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. The stressors explained the variance in job satisfaction levels, regardless of the type of prison system, which also showed explanatory power, indicating higher levels of job satisfaction in the APAC method. Aspects intrinsic to the job itself were predictors of all dimensions of satisfaction, followed by lack of social support and level of responsibility. Satisfaction with management was the most sensitive variable to the stressors addressed. The findings highlight the importance of the psychosocial environment for the workers’ well-being.