Emotional demands and alcohol use in corrections: A moderated mediation model.

Abstract

This study examined predictors of alcohol use (i.e., drinking quantity and frequency) in a sample of correctional officers (COs). More specifically, based on the idea of drinking to cope, we predicted an indirect effect of emotional demands at work on COs' drinking through employee burnout (i.e., exhaustion and disengagement). We further proposed that this indirect effect would be moderated by recovery experiences outside of work (i.e., psychological detachment and mastery). Participants were 1,039 COs from 14 state correctional facilities. Results indicate that emotional demands were positively associated with burnout, burnout was positively associated with COs' drinking, and emotional demands had a significant indirect effect on COs' drinking through burnout. In addition, detachment moderated the indirect effect of emotional demands on drinking quantity through exhaustion (but not disengagement), whereas mastery moderated the indirect effect of emotional demands on drinking frequency through disengagement (but not exhaustion). Specifically, the strength of the indirect effects were strongest at the lowest levels of recovery experiences, suggesting that low levels of recovery from work may represent a significant risk factor for drinking to cope in COs. Therefore, COs should be encouraged to participate in activities outside of work that facilitate recovery from work demands. (PsycINFO Database Record

Chronicling moral distress among healthcare providers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A longitudinal analysis of mental health strain, burnout, and maladaptive coping behaviours

“…Moral distress did not influence whether individuals used alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. These results are surprising as previous work has suggested that strain and burnout can increase maladaptive health behaviours (Cunradi et al 2003;Shepherd et al 2019). However, ffrench-O'Carroll et al (2021 found that there was low use of substance abuse within their sample of participants, but did find that those who reported increased moral distress and use of maladaptive coping strategies were predictive of PTSD risk.…”

“…However, ffrench-O'Carroll et al (2021 found that there was low use of substance abuse within their sample of participants, but did find that those who reported increased moral distress and use of maladaptive coping strategies were predictive of PTSD risk. Shepherd et al (2019) found that while emotional demands were predictive of drinking behaviours, the relationship was contingent on the level of psychological detachment from work during non-work time suggesting that recovery experiences were important to mitigate the use of alcohol. Thus, the relationship between moral distress and maladaptive coping may be offset by other coping mechanisms.…”

“…Shepherd et al . ( 2019 ) found that while emotional demands were predictive of drinking behaviours, the relationship was contingent on the level of psychological detachment from work during non‐work time suggesting that recovery experiences were important to mitigate the use of alcohol. Thus, the relationship between moral distress and maladaptive coping may be offset by other coping mechanisms.…”

Impact of a Total Worker Health® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce

“…We consider this a positive observation and a protective effect of HMP that warrants further study. Shepherd et al [7] reported that burnout among COs was associated with emotional demands and alcohol use for coping [7], suggesting that closer examination of emotional demands may be in order.…”

“…In addition, COs are often exposed to mental health stressors at work and face high risk for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders [4,5]. Work stress and burnout in COs are linked to adverse health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, poor eating habits, and less physical exercise [1,[4][5][6][7][8]. Job stress in COs is associated with substance abuse, work family conflict, suicide, and shortened life span [9][10][11].…”