Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Ross Alexander

Abstract

Correctional officer misconduct is a prevalent issue within U.S. correctional facilities that jeopardizes the protection and management of inmates. Research shows that correctional officers experience more work-related stress than individuals in other occupations, but it is unknown whether work-related stress and role conflict predict correctional officer misconduct. The purpose of this study was to examine role conflict and stress as predictors of correctional misconduct through the lens of transactional theory, role theory, and strain theory. A cluster sampling method was used to distribute surveys to 107 correctional officers in four New Jersey correctional facilities. The surveys contained items from the Job Stress Scale, the Role Conflict Scale, and the Self-Report Deviance Scale. Data were analyzed using linear regression analysis. The results indicated that role conflict was a negative predictor of misconduct whereas work-related stress was not a predictor of misconduct. In one unit of role conflict, the score resulted in decrease with misconduct participants. Role conflict was positively associated with counterproductive work behaviors such as organization neglect and aggression. The study findings may inform the development of policy and training for correctional officers that may help to reduce officer misconduct and improve their quality of life and desire to stay in their positions. These changes may enhance the rehabilitation of inmates.

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