Associations between Perceived Occupational Prestige and Psychological Symptoms in Correctional Supervisors.

Abstract

Low occupational prestige - societal perceptions that certain jobs and workers are of low social status - may affect correctional worker well-being. We hypothesized that (1) low prestige is associated with psychological symptoms and (2) the association is mediated by stress. Correctional supervisors (n = 168) completed a survey with measures of occupational prestige, psychological symptoms, work context, and sociodemographic information. Direct and indirect effects were tested using standard multiple regression. The sample consisted primarily of males (74%) who were married or partnered (72%) with a mean age of 42.5 years (SD, 6.4 years). Direct and indirect (through stress) relationships were observed between low occupational prestige and psychological symptoms. Findings suggest that corrections workers perceive lower occupational prestige to be a work-related stressor with implications for psychological well-being. Future longitudinal studies may establish causality among variables.