04/18/2023
By Maureen Martin

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Solomont School of Nursing, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Pamela J. Fallon on "Exploring Facilitators and Barriers to Peer Support Programs for Correctional Officers."

Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should email Pamela_Fallon@student.uml.edu and committee Chair Mazen_ElGhaziri@uml.edu at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Members


  • Committee Chair Mazen El Ghaziri, Ph.D., MPH, RN, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Yuan Zhang, Ph.D., RN, Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Lisa Jaegers, Ph.D., OTRL, Associate Professor & Director, Transformative Justice Initiative, Doisy College of Health Sciences, St. Louis University, Missouri
  • Alicia Dugan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut Health, CT

Abstract:

Background: Correctional officers (COs) serving jails and prisons are at risk for adverse mental health effects, including stress, burnout, and psychological distress from traumatic incidents experienced at work. Interventions to address CO stress and mental health care are limited in characterization and practice. Peer support programs (PSP) can potentially serve as primary prevention to reduce organizational stress and trauma for COs; however, little is known about their availability, utilization, and effectiveness.

Aim: To conduct an exploratory cross-sectional mixed methods study of PSP programs' availability, use, and helpfulness as an intervention to reduce stress and trauma among frontline COs working in US jails and prisons. It will further explore facilitators and barriers to PSP using a social-ecological model lens to identify individual, interpersonal, organizational, or societal factors that may influence PSP use.

Methods: A participatory process including a network of correctional stakeholders and content experts developed a 40-item survey to identify resources for addressing staff trauma and organizational stress. Seven survey items were specific to PSP, including CO awareness, use, effectiveness, help-seeking intention using the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire, managerial support, and stigma. Open item responses were provided for COs to comment on facilitators and barriers to PSP that were present in their facility. The survey was conducted between December 2021 and April 2022. Data analysis included univariate and bivariate statistics. Regression modeling was used to identify predictors of help-seeking intention and PSP use.

Findings: A total of 649 frontline COs responded to the survey. There is a discrepancy between the awareness of PSP programs and their use and helpfulness. COs prefer to seek help from informal sources of help over formal sources, as measured by the GHSQ. Those who scored higher on the GHSQ were more likely to participate in PSPs. Middle manager support and senior administrative support were positively correlated with GHSQ scores. Age, gender, low self-stigma, and managerial support were predictors of help-seeking intention. GHSQ scores predicted the use of PSPs. COs from medium security level facilities and those with managerial support were also predicted to use PSPs. Barriers include public stigma, issues related to confidentiality and trust, lack of time, and staffing issues.

Conclusions: This is the first national survey of frontline COs exploring peer support awareness, use, and effectiveness in the US. There is a disparity among COs relative to the awareness and use of PSP as a resource. Improving the applicability of resources to COs may improve their use. Exploring a participatory action approach to PSP that includes COs, managers, and informal sources of support such as spouses, partners, and non-CO peers may also be beneficial.