Comparing Demographic Factors, Background Characteristics, and Workplace Perceptions as Predictors of Burnout Among Community Corrections Officers. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rhineberger-Dunn, Gayle; Mack, Kristin Y.; Baker, Kimberly M.
• Is Part Of: Criminal justice and behavior. Volume 44:Number 2(2017:Feb.)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 225
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: burnout -- community corrections -- probation officers -- residential officers; Correctional psychology -- Periodicals; 364.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0093854816666583
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-8548

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to explore the association between demographic and background characteristics, as well as workplace perceptions that may predict burnout among two connected groups of community corrections officers. Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, we assessed whether burnout differed between probation/parole and residential officers and analyzed whether predictors of burnout varied across these two groups. Our results indicated that while probation/parole officers were more likely to report Emotional Exhaustion, they were not any more or less likely to experience Depersonalization or Personal Accomplishment. In addition, educational training had a stronger impact for residential officers, while schedule fit was more important for probation/parole officers, when predicting Personal Accomplishment. These results not only extended the existing research on burnout but also helped inform key correctional stakeholders about what policies and practices were working well, as well as indicated potential areas of change to help minimize burnout among staff.