Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Victoria Landu-Adams

Abstract

It remained unknown if the effects of the employee wellness policy implemented in Oregon in 2018 were reducing stress and improving the health of correctional officers which if it does may benefit the local communities to help enhance social stability. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the employee wellness policy, as implemented in the state of Oregon in 2018, in reducing stress and improving the health of correctional officers. This study was guided by the perceived organizational support theory, which holds that employees develop existential views about how much their employer values their contributions and is concerned about their well-being. The study sought to better understand how correctional officers view organizational support for helping employees improve their overall health, how they view their wellness program for lowering stress, and suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the current employee wellness program from their perspective. Using a qualitative case study design, 9 full-time correctional officers with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at three of the Oregon Department of Correctios’ prisons were interviewed. Through conducting thematic analysis, the results revealed that few participants reported the availability of efforts to motivate correctional officers to engage in wellness programs for a healthy lifestyle, including eating and exercising. However, they did not perceive such efforts as meaningful support. Future studies should be conducted in different geographical locations other than Oregon (US) to enhance the transferability of findings to populations in other locations. The findings may benefit correctional officers in the state of Oregon, promoting positive social change by improving overall well-being.

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