The relationships between job and organizational characteristics and role and job stress among Chinese community correctional workers

Publication date: Available online 11 September 2017Source:International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice
Author(s): Xiaohong Jin, Ivan Y. Sun, Shanhe Jiang, Yongchun Wang, Shufang Wen
Although the past two decades have witnessed a fast growth in studies on occupational attitudes and experiences among correctional officers, such research is rare in China despite the country’s strong push for community corrections since 2003. Drawing on interview survey data collected from a province in China, the study assessed the relationships between job and organizational characteristics and job and role stress among Chinese community corrections workers. The results indicated that agency formalization, supervisory support, and coworker integration reduced role ambiguity and/or conflict, whereas job dangerousness, role ambiguity, and role conflict increased job stress among Chinese correctional staff. Workers with stronger punishment orientations also reported higher levels of job stress. Implications for future research and policy are discussed.