Burnout Among Probation Officers: The Importance of Resilience

Abstract

Like many human service professionals, probation officers are subject to a great deal of stress as part of their occupational duties. This study examines occupational stress and burnout among probation officers through the lens of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. This model suggests that organizational characteristics have implications for individual outcomes related to stress. However, the model largely neglects the role of individual factors, such as dispositional resilience. This study tests a refined model using cross-sectional surveys from 289 members of a probation officer union in the eastern United States. Results from structural equation modeling support the general predictions of the JD-R model in that job demands and job resources are correlated with burnout and engagement, which in turn predict health issues and intention to quit. Moreover, resilience significantly predicts every latent variable in the model, both directly and indirectly through its effect on intervening factors. Implications for workplace policy and practice are discussed.

From negative to positive effects of secondary exposure to trauma – the mediating role of cognitive coping strategies

“…Probation officers are expected to meet the goals of public safety, punishment and rehabilitation while managing a large caseload. Often when working with violent offenders, for example, they are themselves at risk [13,14]. Medical staff, paramedics and nurses often witness the death of patients and have to conduct difficult and emotionally engaging conversations with patients and their families.…”