Risdon Slate
Professor of Criminology, Florida State University
Key Findings
- Female probation officers reported being more physically stressed than male probation officers.
- The longer the participants spent with the probation agency, the higher they rated their physical stress.
- Participants who perceived a positive workplace atmosphere were more likely to report a positive opinion of their job.
- Participants who perceived a negative workplace atmosphere were more likely to report a negative opinion of their job.
- Participants with negative opinions of their job were more likely to report higher levels of stress.
- There is a positive correlation between total stress and physical stress.
Description
In the article, “Opening the Manager’s Door: State Probation Officer Stress and Perceptions of Participation in Workplace Decision Making,” Slate and his co-authors examine the toll that officer stress has on perceptions of the workplace. Probation officers have been found to have higher levels of stress than other professions, which can result in withdrawal from work, emotional exhaustion, and more. To conduct their study the researchers used self-administered email surveys to 417 sworn probation officers. The survey consisted of questions designed to measure stress at an internal, external, job/task, personal, and physical level. The results showed that female probation officers reported being more physically stressed than male probation officers. The longer the participants spent with the probation agency, the higher they rated their physical stress. Participants who perceived a positive workplace atmosphere were more likely to report a positive opinion of their job. Participants who perceived a negative workplace atmosphere were more likely to report a negative opinion of their job. Participants with negative opinions of their job were more likely to report higher levels of stress. The data also showed a positive correlation between total stress and physical stress. In conclusion, the authors note that empowering employees in the workplace allows them to have a positive opinion of their job.