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Development and Implementation of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Namazi

    (Department of Health Sciences, Springfield College, Springfield, MA 01109, USA)

  • Rajashree Kotejoshyer

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA)

  • Dana Farr

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA)

  • Robert A. Henning

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Diana C. Tubbs

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Alicia G. Dugan

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA)

  • Mazen El Ghaziri

    (Susan and Alan Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA)

  • Martin Cherniack

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA)

Abstract

Correctional officers (COs) are exposed to a number of occupational stressors, and their health declines early in their job tenure. Interventions designed to prevent early decline in CO health are limited. This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a one-year peer health mentoring program (HMP) guided by Total Worker Health ® principles and using a participatory action research to collectively address worker safety, health, and well-being of newly hired COs. The HMP aimed to provide new COs with emotional and tangible forms of support during their first year of employment, including peer coaching to prevent early decline in physical fitness and health. The development and implementation of the HMP occurred across five main steps: (1) participatory design focus groups with key stakeholders; (2) adaptation of an existing mentoring handbook and training methods; (3) development of mentor–mentee recruitment criteria and assignment; (4) designing assessment tools; and (5) the initiation of a mentor oversight committee consisting of union leadership, corrections management, and research staff. Correctional employee engagement in the design and implementation process proved to be efficacious in the implementation and adaptation of the program by staff. Support for the HMP remained high as program evaluation efforts continued.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Namazi & Rajashree Kotejoshyer & Dana Farr & Robert A. Henning & Diana C. Tubbs & Alicia G. Dugan & Mazen El Ghaziri & Martin Cherniack, 2021. "Development and Implementation of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8712-:d:616841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cheek, Frances E. & Miller, Marie Di Stefano, 1983. "The experience of stress for correction officers: A double-bind theory of correctional stress," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 105-120.
    2. Justina A. V. Fischer & Alfonso Sousa‐Poza, 2009. "Does job satisfaction improve the health of workers? New evidence using panel data and objective measures of health," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(1), pages 71-89, January.
    3. Rajashree Kotejoshyer & Declan O. Gilmer & Sara Namazi & Dana Farr & Robert A. Henning & Martin Cherniack, 2021. "Impact of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-21, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rajashree Kotejoshyer & Declan O. Gilmer & Sara Namazi & Dana Farr & Robert A. Henning & Martin Cherniack, 2021. "Impact of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Sara L. Tamers & Jessica M. K. Streit & Casey Chosewood, 2022. "Promising Occupational Safety, Health, and Well-Being Approaches to Explore the Future of Work in the USA: An Editorial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-7, February.

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