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Gender Matters: Differences in State Probation Officer Stress

NCJ Number
213057
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 63-79
Author(s)
Terry Wells; Sharla Colbert; Risdon N. Slate
Date Published
February 2006
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed female and male perceptions of stress among probation officers, traditionally a predominately male-occupied position.
Abstract
Findings suggest that female probation officers are identified as having a greater level of physical stress than male probation officers. However, internal stress, job stress, and personal stress were found to be greater among male probation officers than among female probation officers and no direct effect stress was found when controlling for prominent demographic and work-related factors. The study assessed the degree to which male and female probation officers differed in their level of stress and set out to determine the extent to which gender was a significant predictor of stress, independent of other stressors. Based on research, it is believed that gender differences in probation officers do exist and that the relationship needs to be further investigated in order to determine meaningful distinctions as women increasingly enter the profession of probation officer. Tables, references