Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Jessica Hart
Abstract
Probation officers play a major role in maintaining public safety by balancing their dual roles of care and control. The number of individuals within the United States community corrections system is significantly growing. This has increased the need for probation officers to make decisions for probationers with mental illness. However, there is a gap in understanding how active-duty probation officers make decisions for probationers. This study examined how probation officers balance their dual roles while decision-making for probationers with mental illness. An interpretative phenomenological analysis design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants who met inclusion criteria to participate in this study. A review of data produced three primary themes: shifting expectations affected probation officers' ability to balance their dual roles, officers experienced internal barriers when decision-making for probationers, and officers experienced external barriers when decision-making for probationers with mental illness. Findings were then analyzed using current literature and fundamentals of game theory to address implications for social change. Probation officers, agencies, and communities can use findings of this study for positive social change to develop new training methods, enhance employee retention, and assess community resources to target mental health and reduce recidivism. Results of this study form a foundation for future research to build upon and better understand experiences of probation officer decision-making for probationers with mental illness.
Recommended Citation
Fields, Myra A., "Probationer Officer Experiences: Dual Role Decision-Making for Probationers with Mental Illness" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14122.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14122
