Memorial University of Newfoundland
University of Manitoba.
Violence Vict. 2022 Feb 1;37(1):77-100. doi: 10.1891/VV-D-21-00009.
We know little about potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE) exposures among provincial correctional workers in diverse occupational positions and even less regarding how exposure to events are associated with mental health disorders. We designed the current study to unpack and quantify estimates of the frequencies that correctional workers, across occupational roles, experience exposure to diverse incidents. We categorized 1,338 of our 1,487 participants into six occupational categories and our measures included established self-report items measuring PPTE exposure and mental disorder symptoms. Almost all correctional workers reported exposures to most PPTE types. Correctional workers collectively report exposures to physical assault (90.2%) and sudden violent death (81.8%), with many (3.1%-46%) reporting 11+ exposures ( = 10.01, = 4.29). We found significant differences in exposure patterns across correctional worker categories; specifically, we found a higher prevalence of exposure to toxic substances, physical assault, assault with a weapon, severe human suffering, sudden accidental or sudden violent death, among those working in institutional correctional services (e.g., governance, correctional officers). PPTE exposure and all assessed mental health disorder symptom profiles were closely related, as correctional workers report high exposure to PPTE. Population attributable fractions indicated that the burden of mental disorders among provincial correction workers might be reduced by between 38%-70% if PPTE exposures were eliminated from the population. We conclude with recommendations for mental health related policies, such as investing in peer and psychologically support, as well as interventions for exposure to PPTE and readiness to inform strategies for employee mental health and well-being.
我们对省级监狱工作者在不同职业岗位上可能经历的心理创伤性事件（PPTE）暴露知之甚少，甚至不知道接触这些事件与心理健康障碍之间的关系。我们设计了当前的研究，旨在详细说明和量化不同职业角色的监狱工作者经历各种事件暴露的频率估计值。我们将 1487 名参与者中的 1338 名分为六个职业类别，我们的测量方法包括测量 PPTE 暴露和精神障碍症状的既定自我报告项目。几乎所有的监狱工作人员都报告了对大多数 PPTE 类型的暴露。监狱工作人员集体报告了身体攻击（90.2%）和突然暴力死亡（81.8%）的暴露，许多人（3.1%-46%）报告了 11 次以上的暴露（= 10.01，= 4.29）。我们发现，不同的监狱工作人员类别之间的暴露模式存在显著差异；具体来说，我们发现那些在机构监狱服务（如治理、狱警）工作的人，暴露于有毒物质、身体攻击、武器攻击、严重人类痛苦、突然意外或突然暴力死亡的情况更为普遍。PPTE 暴露和所有评估的心理健康障碍症状谱密切相关，因为监狱工作人员报告了大量的 PPTE 暴露。人群归因分数表明，如果将 PPTE 暴露从人群中消除，省级监狱工作人员的精神障碍负担可能会减少 38%-70%。我们的结论是，需要制定与心理健康相关的政策，例如投资于同伴和心理支持，以及干预 PPTE 暴露和准备为员工的心理健康和福祉提供信息的策略。
