Impact of Workplace Violence Exposure on Correctional Officers' Health

These flashcards cover key concepts and findings from the study on the effects of workplace violence exposure on the mental health and physiological activity of correctional officers.

What is the difference between direct and indirect workplace violence exposure as discussed in the study?

Direct exposure refers to being the primary target of assault, while indirect exposure involves responding to or witnessing a violent incident.

What mental health issues are correctional officers at risk for due to workplace violence exposure?

Correctional officers are at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.

How does the accumulation of indirect assault exposures affect cortisol levels?

The accumulation of indirect assault exposures is associated with increased cortisol levels, suggesting heightened HPA axis activity.

What physiological systems are affected by workplace violence exposure in correctional officers?

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are the two major physiological systems affected.

What does stress responsivity refer to in the context of correctional officers?

Stress responsivity refers to the physiological responses organized by the stress response system triggered by external or psychological stressors.

What was one of the primary hypotheses regarding direct and indirect assault exposures?

It was hypothesized that both direct and indirect exposures would be associated with increased HPA axis and SNS activity, with direct exposures having a greater effect.

Why is it important to distinguish between direct and indirect violence exposure according to this study?

Distinguishing between the two types of exposure helps to understand their differential impacts on mental health and physiological activity among correctional officers.

What implications for future programming does the study suggest regarding violence exposure?

Future programming should target both direct and indirect violence exposures to mitigate negative stress-related outcomes, including mental health problems.

What role does chronic stress play in the mental health of correctional officers?

Chronic stress can lead to prolonged activation of the stress response system, possibly resulting in mental health problems such as PTSD and depression.

What methodological approach did the study utilize to assess the effects of violence exposure?

The study employed a combination of official records, critical incident narratives, and physiological measurements to assess the impact of exposure to violence.