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Impact of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce

Author

Listed:
  • Rajashree Kotejoshyer

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Farmington, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA)

  • Declan O. Gilmer

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Sara Namazi

    (Department of Health Sciences, Springfield College, Springfield, MA 01109, USA)

  • Dana Farr

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Farmington, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA)

  • Robert A. Henning

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Martin Cherniack

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Farmington, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA)

Abstract

(1) Background: Correctional Officers show signs of adverse health early in their careers. We evaluated the impact of a one-year peer health mentoring program for new officers based on a Total Worker Health ® approach; (2) Methods: Cadets ( n = 269) were randomly assigned to a mentored or control group. Cadets in this mixed methods design completed physical assessments, and surveys at three time points to assess demographics, health, mentoring, and workplace variables. Physical testing included several health markers. Surveys and physical data were analyzed as repeated measures. Regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between mentoring characteristics and outcomes. A semi-structured interview of mentors was analyzed qualitatively. (3) Results: Higher mentoring frequency was associated with lower burnout. Health behaviors and outcomes declined over time in all groups, but mentees displayed slower decline for body mass index (BMI) and hypertension compared to controls. (4) Conclusions: A continuous peer health mentoring program seemed protective to new officers in reducing burnout and also declines in BMI and hypertension. Short-term physical health markers in younger officers may not be an index of psycho-social effects. A participatory design approach is recommended for a long-term health mentoring program to be both effective and sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajashree Kotejoshyer & Declan O. Gilmer & Sara Namazi & Dana Farr & Robert A. Henning & Martin Cherniack, 2021. "Impact of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8436-:d:611685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sara L. Tamers & L. Casey Chosewood & Adele Childress & Heidi Hudson & Jeannie Nigam & Chia-Chia Chang, 2019. "Total Worker Health ® 2014–2018: The Novel Approach to Worker Safety, Health, and Well-Being Evolves," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Sara Namazi & Rajashree Kotejoshyer & Dana Farr & Robert A. Henning & Diana C. Tubbs & Alicia G. Dugan & Mazen El Ghaziri & Martin Cherniack, 2021. "Development and Implementation of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Cheek, Frances E. & Miller, Marie Di Stefano, 1983. "The experience of stress for correction officers: A double-bind theory of correctional stress," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 105-120.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sara L. Tamers & Jessica M. K. Streit & Casey Chosewood, 2022. "Promising Occupational Safety, Health, and Well-Being Approaches to Explore the Future of Work in the USA: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-7, February.
    2. Sara Namazi & Rajashree Kotejoshyer & Dana Farr & Robert A. Henning & Diana C. Tubbs & Alicia G. Dugan & Mazen El Ghaziri & Martin Cherniack, 2021. "Development and Implementation of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.

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