The Feasibility and Potential of Training Correctional Officers in Flexible Styles of Communication to Reduce Burnout: A Multiple Baseline Trial in Real-Life Settings

Job stress constitutes a substantial problem to the labour market, as it leads to serious consequences and costs for the individual, for the workplace and for society (Hassard et al., 2014). Correctional officers in uppermiddle and high-income countries are highly affected by job stress and burnout (Bezerra Cde et al., 2016; Harizanova & Tarnovska, 2013; Keinan & Malach-Pines, 2007; Schaufeli & Peeters, 2000). This is also the case in Sweden (Harenstam & Theorell, 1990; Härenstam et al., 1988). Burnout is characterised by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a lack of professional efficacy and is a response to long term stress dependant on organizational, job-related, as well as individual factors (Maslach et al., 2001). Burnout is associated with psychological illhealth, such as depression (Iacovides et al., 2003), and physiological consequences, such immunological and cortisol changes (Grossi et al., 2005; Grossi et al., 2003). Effects of interventions aimed at alleviating burnout symptoms in general labour samples show mixed-effects and provide no clear guidance on effective components (Ahola et al., 2017). Most studies on burnout among correctional officers are cross-sectional studies, based on self-report questionnaires (Schaufeli & Peeters, 2000). There is a need for interventions focusing on reducing stress in correctional officers’ work environment (Finney et al., 2013; Keinan & Malach-Pines, 2007; Kinman et al., 2016). Very few such interventions have been scientifically evaluated, and no such study has taken place in a Swedish setting. The present study reports on an intervention designed to increase job related resources and its effects on burnout among correctional officers. Vulnerability to job stress and burnout among correctional work can be understood in terms of ‘emotional labour’, a concept introduced by Hochschild (1983). Emotional labour refers to strain that arises when there is a discrepancy between emotions felt and emotions supressed/expressed at work. Correctional officers are frequently faced with situations involving victimisation, violence, and drug-related incidents. These situations typically evoke strong negative feelings, such as anger, disgust, and fear (Tracy, 2005). However, the professional role of correctional officers also includes responsibility for upholding security at the correctional centre and actively promoting the rehabilitation of inmates (Dowden & Tellier, 2004; Schaufeli & Peeters, 2000). These professional duties require skills relating to maintaining calm and avoiding expressing negative emotions, for example in heated situations, such as those involving the communication or enforcement of negative decisions, or enforcing prison rules, such as lock-up. The high risk of conflicts between roles inherent ORIGINAL ARTICLE