The Feasibility and Potential of Training Correctional Officers in Flexible Styles of Communication to Reduce Burnout: A Multiple Baseline Trial in Real-Life Settings

Åsa Norman; Ulrika Lundberg; Carl Åke Farbring; Håkan Källmén; Lars Forsberg

doi:10.16993/sjwop.102

The Feasibility and Potential of Training Correctional Officers in Flexible Styles of Communication to Reduce Burnout: A Multiple Baseline Trial in Real-Life Settings

Scandinavian Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology

Volume 5 (2020): Issue 1

By: Åsa Norman, Ulrika Lundberg, Carl Åke Farbring, Håkan Källmén and Lars Forsberg

Open Access

|Nov 2020

Abstract

Background: Burnout is typically high among correctional officers. By a training intervention in the flexible communication style ‘everyday conversations’ as a way to increase job-related resources, this study aimed to reduce burnout in Swedish correctional officers.

Methods: In a stepped wedged waiting list design, 13 prison wards with 266 employees were randomized to the everyday conversations intervention at different time points during the study period. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey scales over 16 time points.

Results: A significant reduction in cynicism was found. In addition, moderation effects relating to personal motivators and characteristics were found.

Conclusion: There is feasibility and potential to implement communication skills to reduce burnout among employees in real-life prison settings.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16993/sjwop.102 | Journal eISSN: 2002-2867

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Language: English

Page range: 12 - 12

Submitted on: Sep 3, 2019

Accepted on: Aug 23, 2020

Published on: Nov 5, 2020

Published by: Stockholm University Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

work environment,

motivational interviewing,

intervention,

emotional labour,

prison

© 2020 Åsa Norman, Ulrika Lundberg, Carl Åke Farbring, Håkan Källmén, Lars Forsberg, published by Stockholm University Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 5 (2020): Issue 1