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Date Permissions Signed

2-17-2012

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Stevenson, Joan C.

Second Advisor

Hammond, Joyce D., 1950-

Third Advisor

Everson, Phillip Mark

Abstract

Experiencing stress in the work environment is common for most occupations, and some occupations experience more work-related stress than others. Environmental factors including lighting, temperature, air quality and noise, can affect workers' stress levels in subtle ways often overlooked during typical workrelated stress evaluations. The present study examines the relationship between these environmental factors and their effects on the stress levels of corrections officers. Survey respondents (N=45) evaluated two correctional facilities in the Pacific Northwest for environmental quality and the incidence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, lethargy and other health-related issues. Baseline environmental measurements and facility environmental standards were compared with survey results to evaluate officers' experience of stress from the workplace environment. Results indicate that environmental factors may affect officers' stress levels and their experience of SBS symptoms to a greater degree than is currently discussed in the literature. Future studies should attempt to further refine these relationships, as a better understanding of them will help correctional administrators decrease workplace stress, absenteeism and attrition.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/mmk4-9051

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

779477018

Subject – LCSH

Correctional personnel--Job stress; Work environment; Work--Environmental aspects; Human engineering; Sick building syndrome

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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