ABSTRACT Few studies have investigated factors that contribute to the mental health of probation and parole officers (PPOs). Addressing the needs of supervisees with serious mental illness (SMI) can create unique challenges for PPOs, which in turn may increase job-related stress and impact PPOs’ mental health. Using statewide survey data from 795 PPOs, we examine whether the number of supervisees with SMI on an officer’s caseload is associated with depressive symptoms reported by PPOs and whether this relationship is mediated by work stress. In addition, we examine the mediating effects of role conflict and overload in the relationship between the number of persons with SMI on an officer’s caseload and work stress. Findings reveal that PPOs supervising more people with SMI report significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and this relationship is mediated by work stress. Additionally, the association between the number of supervisees with SMI on an officer’s caseload and work stress is completely explained away by role conflict and role overload. These findings highlight the mental health significance for parole and probation practitioners working with persons with SMI.

中文翻译：

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社区教养人员的心理健康：监督严重精神疾病患者

摘要很少有研究调查有助于缓刑和假释人员（PPO）心理健康的因素。解决患有严重精神疾病（SMI）的被管理者的需求会给PPO带来独特的挑战，这反过来可能会增加与工作相关的压力并影响PPO的心理健康。使用来自795个PPO的全州调查数据，我们检查了在一名官员的病历中患有SMI的被监督者人数是否与PPO所报告的抑郁症状有关，以及这种关系是否是由于工作压力而介导的。此外，我们研究了角色冲突和超负荷在具有SMI的人数对高级职员的工作量和工作压力之间的关系中所起的中介作用。研究结果表明，监督更多的SMI患者的PPO报告的抑郁症状水平明显更高，并且这种关系是由工作压力所介导的。此外，通过角色冲突和角色超载，完全可以解释在某人的工作量方面具有SMI的被监督者数量与工作压力之间的关系。这些发现凸显了与SMI患者一起工作的假释和缓刑从业者的心理健康意义。