1

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Problem and Its Settings

Stress is a complex experience. An individual’s

experience of stress is affected by a number of aspects

which are connected to personality, environment, socio-

cultural orientation and other factors. One problem about

stress is that if not given proper attention, it may lead

to problems in the mental and physical state of persons

affected by it.

In a global view, stress is a recurring problem which

affects people especially those engaged in demanding jobs

such as law enforcement. It is a common observation in any

country that people who work more hours and sometimes on

irregular time are the ones who are mostly affected by

stress. Law enforcement is definitely one of those jobs

because these officers work day and night doing police

works like investigation, crime-prevention, crime response,

emergency response and other similar works which sometimes

are too many to handle.

Jail personnel play a pivotal role in maintaining

peace and order and discipline in the correctional

 2

facilities that is why stress among them is acknowledged as

a global concern.

In countries like China, United Kingdom, Brazil and

other populated countries, stress is commonly affects law

enforcers because they have to take care of bigger areas

and densely populated cities.

In the Philippines, stress is also a prevalent problem

among workers especially those that work beyond regular

office hours. Workers affected include jail officers,

police officers, BPO workers, teachers and lawyers based on

a common observation. In the case of jail officers, the

physical and mental work involves investigation, escape

prevention, jail patrol and emergency response. On the

other hand, it is also assumed that other factors like

socio-economic factors and job satisfaction may also cause

stress.

In Northern Samar, the jail officers also experience

stress considering the fast development and urbanization.

In addition, the number of personnel is also not enough to

perform the bulk of jail works causing them to work heavier

than the usual work load. The demands of the present

administration may also add up to their stress in addition

to job satisfaction, career standing and salary grade.

 3

In addition to the nature of their job, other factors

may also contribute to stress experienced by the jail

officers like constant pressure, accountability, and

unhealthy work environment. On the other hand, there is

still a need to validate these assumptions to further

explore the nature and causes of occupational stress among

the jail officers.

Considering that stress has been proven to be a

determinant of job performance or efficiency, this study

aimed to investigate the level of stress and stressors, and

coping strategies among the jail officers in the different

correctional facilities in Northern Samar so that the

problem can be addressed timely and properly. This could

help the jail administrators come up with ways and means to

solve the problem pertaining to stress so that the job

performance of the jail officers can be improved to meet

the growing demand for proactive and effective law

enforcement.

Statement of the Problem

This study will determine the level of job stress and

coping strategies of the jail officers in the different

correctional facilities in Northern Samar.

This will answer the following queries:

 4

1. What is the profile of the jail officers in the

different correctional facilities in Northern Samar

in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Civil Status

1.3 Educational Attainment

1.4 Rank

1.5 Years in Service

1.6 Salary Grade

1.7 Household Size

1.8 Number of Dependents

1.9 Number of Dependents who are Studying

1.10 Type of House

2. What is the level of job stress of the jail officers

in the different correctional facilities in Northern

Samar?

3. What are the job stressors of the jail officers in

the different in correctional facilities in Northern

Samar?

4. What are the effects of job stress to the jail

officers in the different correctional facilities in

Northern Samar?
 5

5. What are the coping strategies of the jail officers

in the different correctional facilities in Northern

Samar?

6. Is there a significant relationship between the

profile of the jail officers and their level of job

stress?

7. What recommendations that can be forwarded by the

respondents to cope up with the job stress as jail

officers?

Objectives of the Study

This study will determine the level of job stress and

coping strategies of jail officers in the different

correctional facilities in Northern Samar.

Specifically, this will attempt:

1. To determine profile of the jail officers in the

different correctional facilities in Northern Samar

in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Civil Status

1.3 Educational Attainment

1.4 Rank

1.5 Years in Service

1.6 Salary Grade

 6

1.7 Household Size

1.8 Number of Dependents

1.9 Number of Dependents who are Studying

1.10 Type of House;

2. To ascertain the level of job stress of the jail

officers in the different in correctional facilities

in Northern Samar;

3. To assess the job stressors of the jail officers in

the different correctional facilities in Northern

Samar;

4. To find out the effects of job stress to the jail

officers in the different correctional facilities in

Northern Samar;

5. To discover the coping strategies of the jail

officers in the different correctional facilities in

Northern Samar;

6. To find out the significant relationship between the

profile of the jail officers and their level of job

stress;

7. To discern recommendations that can be forwarded by

the respondents to cope up with the job stress as

jail officers.
 7

Significance of the Study

The results and findings of this study will be of

great significance to the following:

Jail Officers. This will give them valuable insights

as to the common causes and effects of job stress in the

workplace so that they can find ways on how to manage them

before it gets worse and affect them in the performance of

their job.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Administrators.

This will give them adequate grounds in coming up with

policies and programs that will alleviate the job stress

experienced by the jail officers considering its effects to

their performance especially in offenders’ rehabilitation

and correction.

Jail Chiefs. This will help them come up with a well-

organized and systematic work shifts for the jail officers

so that they will not be overworked and still have time for

relaxation and other stress-relieving activities.

Jail Residents. This will help the jail residents deal

with the jail officers more effectively taking into account

the difficulty of their job so that they can contribute to

the alleviation of the job stress experienced by the jail

officers. This will also help the jails officers deal with

the residents with utmost respect and consideration.

 8

University of Eastern Philippines - Department of

Criminology. This will add up to the department’s

collection of quantitative researches which can be used for

reading and reference purposes by the students and faculty.

Future Researchers. This will be a valuable reference

for researchers who want to conduct similar studies along

job stress in the future.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study dealt with the occupational or job-related

stress experienced by the jail officers in the different

correctional facilities in Northern Samar. This determined

the independent variables such as the profile of the jail

officers, their job stressors, effects of job stress, and

their recommendations to cope up with stress and the

dependent variables such as the level of job stress of the

jail officers, and their coping strategies. This included

the jail officers assigned in the different correctional

facilities in Northern Samar as respondents.

Availability of respondents, accessibility of the

location, time and financial aspects were considered

limitations of this study.

 9

Theoretical Framework

This study was anchored on French, Caplan, and Van

Harrison’s person-environment (P-E) fit model. The P-E fit

model suggests that stressors are not intrinsic in either

the individual or in his work environment, but relate to

the level of 'fit' of his abilities and needs and the

demands from the environment and the resources it supplies.

Thus, demands become stressful when they outweigh a

person's inner and outer resources including abilities,

material resources, and support. An imbalance in the

person-environment fit may lead to distress but it can also

encourage coping. Coping can be achieved by altering the

person or the environment; cognitively reframing the

person's perceptions of self or environment; or withdrawing

from the situation, including by leaving a job.

In addition, this study was hinged on Karasek and

Theorell’s demand-control model. Presently the most

influential model of workplace stress, the demand-control

model focuses on the two psychosocial occupational

characteristics of occupational demands and occupational

control. Sometimes called decision latitude, occupational

stress is composed of two sub-factors: decision authority

(control over work situation) and skill discretion

(possibility of using skills and competencies. Because it

 10

on the structural aspects of an individual’s interactions

with his environment, the demand-control model has

sometimes been considered an interactional model. Karasek

(1979) study showed that individuals exposed to high demand

levels, as well as those with low job control levels (or in

high-strain situations), were more likely to show increased

depression and fatigue levels and to suffer cardiovascular

diseases and mortality. On the other hand, the lowest

levels of illness were found in individuals who have

moderate or high demands if they also had high job control

levels (challenge situations). Karasek thus averred that

high strain results from the interaction between high

demands and low control and that high control tends to

buffer the negative effect of demands on outcomes.

Conceptual Framework

This study assume that the independent variables are

related to the dependent variables. It assumes that older

jail officers are more stressed than that of the younger

jail officers. Single jail officers have less stress as

compared to the married as they face different problems

being family men. High ranking jail officers are more

stressed than the those at the lower ranks brought about by

the higher order of work load. Those with higher

 11

educational attainment are more stressed than those with

lower educational attainment for they are more active in

acquiring new knowledge to support their being highly

educated. Jail officers who stayed longer in the service

are less stressed than that of the jail officers who are

new to the service for they need to adjust in the rigors

and nature of their work. Jail officers with higher salary

are less stressed with the jail officers with lower salary

for the latter will not afford their needs and wants. Those

with bigger household size are more stressed than that of

smaller household size since they have lesser number of

family to attend to. More so with jail officers with bigger

number of dependents and number of dependent who are still

studying are more stressed than that of the those with

smaller number of dependents and dependents who are still

studying. Jail officers with better type of house are less

stressed than that of the jail officers with ordinary type

of house for shelter is a basic need for them to rest every

time they are stressed.

 12

Paradigm

Independent Variables Dependent Variable

Profile of Jail
Officers in terms of:

 Age
 Civil Status
 Educational
Level of Job
Attainment
Stress of the
 Rank Jail Officers in
 Years in Service the Different
 Salary Grade Correctional
 Household Size Facilities in
Northern Samar
 Number of
Dependents
 Number of
Dependents who
are Still
Studying
 Type of House

Figure 1. A diagram showing the relationship between the

independent and the dependent variables.

Hypotheses

This study has this hypothesis:

1. There is no significant relationship between the

profile and the level of job stress of the jail

officers in the different correctional facilities in

Northern Samar.
 13

Definition of Terms

Important terms are defined in their conceptual and/or

operational contexts for easy understanding of this study.

Age. It is the period of time that has elapsed since

an individual’s birth, a period of human life.1

Operationally, it refers to the number of years the

respondents have lived from the time of their birth up to

their last birthday when this study was conducted.

Civil Status. It refers to the status of a person

whether he or she is single, married, widow or separated.2

Operationally, it pertains to the status of the respondent

whether he or she is single, married, widow or separated.

Coping Strategies. These generally refer to the

adaptive strategies which reduce stress. In this study,

these refer to the coping strategies used by the jail

officers in coping up with their situation.

Correctional Facilities. These are the facilities used

in the rehabilitation of the offenders. In this study,

these refer to the correctional facilities situated in

Northern Samar and are used in the study.

Educational Attainment. It refers to the number of

years in formal schooling or the highest level of

1
Webster Dictionary (Newly Revised), p. 15.

2
Local Civil Registry Manual, p. 3.
 14

education.3 Operationally, it refers to the highest

education that the respondent has attained.

Household Size. It is essentially the number of

persons in a house. Operationally, it refers to the number

of family members in the house of the jail officers.

Jail. It is a place for locking-up of persons who are

convicted of minor offenses or felonies who are to serve a

shot sentences imposed upon them by a competent court, or

for confinement of persons who are awaiting trial or

investigation of their cases.4 In this study, it refers to

the jails situated in Northern Samar.

Jail Officers. These refer to the officers manning the

jails and are ensuring the welfare of the residents in

their confinement. In this study, it refers to the jail

officers included in the study as respondents.

Number of Dependents. This refers to the number of

persons who are financially dependent to their

breadwinners. In this study, this refers to the number of

dependents of the jail officers.

3
Camacho, R.R. (2011). The Performance of Elected Officials in LGU in First District of N. Samar.
UEP-Unpublished Thesis. p. 15.

4
Manwong, R.K. (2008). Fundamentals of Criminology. Wiseman Bookstore. Quezon City. p.282.
 15

Number of Dependents Who are Studying. This refers to

the number of student family members who are financially

dependents to the jail officers.

Rank. It refers to the hierarchical status of the

employee in his/her work. In this study, it refers to the

current rank/position of the jail officers.

Salary Grade. It refers to the salary grade of the

jail officers they are receiving.

Stress. This refers to primary physical response of

the jail officers. When stressed, the body thinks it is

under attack and switches to fight or flight mode,

releasing a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as

adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine to prepare the body

for physical action.5 It refers to the stress experienced by

the jail officers.

Stressors. These are chemicals or biological agents,

environmental conditions, external stimulus or an event

that causes stress to an organism. These are events that

trigger the stress responses. Operationally, these are the

stressors of the jail officers.

Years in Service. It is the duration of service or

employment. Often used to indicate how long an employee has

worked at a company or an individual has belonged to an

5
2017. The Stress Management Society.
 16

organization.6 In the study, it means the number of years

rendered by the respondents in the jail services.

6
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/length-of-service.html
 17

Chapter II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The Philippine Corrections System

The Philippine Corrections System is composed of the

institutions in the government, civil society and the

business sector involved in the confinement, correction and

restoration of persons charged for and/or convicted of

delinquent acts or crime. The public sector formulates

sound policies and rules on corrections, penology and jail

management, rehabilitation and restoration. All prisons or

penitentiaries, jails and detention centers are under the

direct control and supervision of the government. The

government, thus, plays a dominant role in the correction

and rehabilitation of offenders.7

The civil society which includes the non-government

organizations, academe and the media, provide support

services such as health services, training, livelihood,

spiritual guidance and counselling. It is also active in

advocacy and social mobilization for the protection of

inmates’ human rights and enhancement of access to justice.8

7
Supreme Court of the Philippines. (2004). National Survey of Inmates and Institutional
Assessment p. 36.

8
Ibid.
 18

The business sector has minimal participation in

correction services but offers tremendous opportunities for

improved efficiency and public sector exit options.9

Adherence to the United Nations (U.N.) Standard minimum

Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the UN
Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures.

The Philippines adheres to the provisions of the UN

Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures (the

Tokyo Rules) and other international human rights

instruments which define and guarantee the rights of

inmates. Some of these provisions are already embodied in

the Philippine Constitution10 and in its laws, rules and

regulations and ordinance. Section 2, Article of the

constitution, moreover, provides that “The Philippines…

adopts the generally accepted principles of international

law…”.

Prisons/Penitentiary, Jail Distinguished

In the Philippines, there is a distinction between a

“jail” and “prison”. A “jail” is defined as a place of

confinement for inmates under investigation or undergoing

trial, or serving short-term sentences. It is

differentiated from the term “prison” which refers to the

9
Ibid.

10
See Art. II. (Declaration of Principles and State Policies). Art. III (Bill of Rights) and Art. XIII (Social
Justice and Human Rights.
 19

national prisons or penitentiaries managed and supervised

by the Bureau of Corrections, an agency under the

Department of Justice.11 Jails include provincial, district,

city and municipal jails managed and supervised by the

Provincial Government and the Bureau of Jail Management and

Penology (BJMP), respectively, which are both under the

Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Municipal and city prisoners are committed to

municipal, city or district jails managed by the BJMP. A

district jail is a cluster of small jails, each having a

monthly average population of ten or less inmates, and is

located in the vicinity of the court.12 Where the imposable

penalty for the crime committed is more than six months and

the same was committed within the municipality, the

offender must serve his or her sentence in the provincial

jail which is under the Office of the Governor. Where the

penalty imposed exceeds three years, the offender shall

serve his or her sentence in the penal institutions of the

Bureau of Corrections.

11
Supra.

12
Ibid.
 20

Four Classes of Prisoners13

1. Insular or national prisoner – one who is sentenced

to a prison term of three years and one day to death;

2. Provincial prisoner – one who is sentenced to a

prison term of six months and one day to three years;

3. City prisoner – one who is sentenced to a prison

term of one day to three years; and

4. Municipal Prisoner – one who is sentenced to a

prison term of one day to six months.

Three Types of Detainees14

1. Those undergoing investigation;

2. those awaiting or undergoing trial; and

3. those awaiting final judgment.

Three major government functionaries are involved in

the Philippine correctional system, namely: The Department

of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local

Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD). The DOJ supervises the national

penitentiaries through the Bureau of Corrections,

administers the parole and probation system through the

Parole and Probation Administration, and assists the

President in the grant of executive clemency through the

13
Section 5, Rule III. Manual of Operations of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

14
Id., Sec. 6.
 21

Board of Pardons and Parole. DILG supervises the

provincial, district, city and municipal jails through the

provincial governments and the Bureau of Jail Management

and Penology, respectively. DSWD supervises the regional

rehabilitation centers for youth offenders through the

Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)

BuCor has for its principal task the rehabilitation of

national prisoners15, or those sentenced to serve a term of

imprisonment of more than three years. Since its creation,

the BuCor has evolved with modern penology and has shifted

from the traditional view of imprisonment as society’s

retribution against criminal offenders into one which

regards imprisonment as a humanizing and enriching

experience. Corrections focus on rehabilitation and regards

inmates as patients who need treatment and guidance in

order to become productive and responsible members of

society upon their release.

At present, BuCor has seven prison facilities for its

26,792 prisoners. It has one prison institution for women

and one vocational training center for juveniles.

15
Sec. 26, Chap. 8, Title III, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the
Administrative Code of 1987.
 22

All prison institutions have their own Reception and

Diagnostic Centre (RDC), Classification Board,

Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Programmes, Inmate

Complaints, Information and Assistance Centre (ICIAC),

Inmate Council and Board of Discipline. RDC receives,

studies and classifies inmates committed to BuCor. The

Classification Board classifies inmates according to their

security status. To extend prompt, efficient and timely

services to inmates, BuCor created ICIA which is tasked to

act, within seventy-two hours, on all the complaints,

requests for information and assistance of inmates. The

common complaints/requests made by inmates are complaints

against employees/co-inmates, status of prisoners’ release,

computation of Good Conduct and Time Allowance and problems

regarding visitors’ visits. The Inmate Council, which is

composed of finally convicted inmates, serves as an

advisory body of the Superintendent of each institution.

The Board of Discipline hears complaints and grievances

with regard to violations of prison rules and regulations.16

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)

Also known as the jail bureau, BJMP, an agency under

the DILG was created pursuant to Section 60, Republic Act

16
Sec. 1, Chapter 11, Part III, Bureau of Corrections Operating Manual.
 23

No.697517, which took effect on January 2, 1991. It is

mandated to direct, supervise and control the

administration and operation of all district, city and

municipal jails nationwide.

Functions

(i) Formulate policies and guidelines on the

administration of all district, city and

municipal jails.

(ii) Formulate and implement policies for the

programmes of correction, rehabilitation and

treatment of inmates.

(iii) Plan and programme funds for the subsistence

allowance of inmates.

(iv) Conduct research, develop and implement plans

and programmes for the improvement of jail

services throughout the country.

After years of existence as a separate agency under

the DILG, the BJMP still shares its responsibilities with

the Philippine National Police (PNP). The involvement,

however, of the police in penology and jail management is a

temporary arrangement in view of BJMP’s limited capacity.

17
The Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.
 24

Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare

Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 60318, as amended16, was

promulgated to provide for the care and treatment of youth

offenders from the time of apprehension up to the

termination of the case17. The Bureau provides intensive

treatment for the rehabilitation of youth offenders on

suspended sentence. Under the said law, a youth offender is

defined as a child, minor or youth who is over nine years

but under eighteen years of age at the time of the

commission of the offence.

Provincial Government19

Provincial jails, numbering 104 in all, including sub

provincial extensions, are under the supervision and

control of the provincial governments.

Stress in Relation to Job

Stress is a difficult concept to define. The most

frequently cited definition, however, is that of Selye,

“Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any

demand made upon it.” In 1976, Lazarus contended that

stress “occurs when there are demands on a person which tax

or exceed his (sic) adjusted resources’. Lazarus’s

18
Presidential Decree No. 603.

19
Supra.
 25

definition identifies two components of stress: the

pressure imposed and the adaptive resources of the

individual to withstand it. Further, Gold and Roth as cited

by Kerr at al defined stress even more comprehensively,

thus: “Stress is a condition of disequilibrium within the

intellectual, emotional, and physical state of the

individual; it is generated by one’s perceptions of a

situation, which result in physical and emotional

reactions. It can be either positive or negative, depending

upon one’s interpretations.20

Stress has been connected to illnesses, e.g.,

cardiovascular conditions, cancer and cold as well as the

aggravation of symptoms such as asthma and other respi-

ratory ailments. Further, stress has also associated with

headaches, gastrointestinal upset, hyperventilation,

insomnia, and fatigue. Moreover, coping strategies have

been acknowledge as mediating the effect of stress on blood

sugar, heart rate, and blood pressure.21

Chronic stress takes a toll on the well-being of an

individual, particularly with regard to emotional and

physical discomforts and functional ability. Research in

20Kerr, R.A., Breen, J., Delaney, M., Kelly, C., and Miller, K. (2001).
A Qualitative Study of
Workplace Stress and coping in Secondary Teachers in Ireland. Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies.

21
Khaleque, A. and Choudhary, N. (1994). Job Facets and Overall Job Satisfaction of Industrial
Managers. Indian Journal of Industrial Relations.
 26

health care has repeatedly shown that between 30% and 80%

of all physician office visits are for illness experiences

that are non-disease based with stress as the common

factor. Thirty years ago, the United States Clearing House

for Mental Health Information announced that industry had

lost $17 billion in production capacity largely because of

stress-related problems. Also, in the late 1980s $60

billion was lost yearly by businesses due to stress-related

physical illness.22 The National Institute for Occupational

Safety and Health estimates that businesses lose up to $300

billion annually because of stress-related absences, lost

productivity, retraining, and stress-related health care

costs.

According to Cooper and Payne, the long term effects

of stress have been well-documented stressing that

individuals who are unable to deal with stress effectively

with environment demands proper treatment.23

While it is commonly accepted that stress affects

health, all of the psychobiological connections are not

clearly understood. Theoretical developments in the areas

of stress, coping, and health have been hampered by con-

22
Ibid.

23
Cooper, C. and Robert, P. (1988). Causes, Coping and Consequences of Stress at Work. New
York, Wiley Pub Inc.
 27

fusion regarding these concepts. The following paragraphs

present an overview of the theories explaining stress and

coping.24

Stress Models

The theories explaining stress are categorized into

three: response-based, stimulus-based, and transactional-

based.

Response-based model. The response-based theory was

put forward by Selye and summarized in The Stress of Life.

Selye pioneered the development and testing of theory on

stress from a physiological and medical viewpoint. As a

physician, he was interested with the common inflammatory

responses he observed in patients regardless of their

specific disease or exposure to medical issues and

procedures. Most of Selye’s main concepts arise from

Cannon’s notion that sympatho-adrenal changes are

“emergency functions.”25

Selye considered stress as a response to noxious

stimuli or environmental stressors and defined it as the

“nonspecific response of the body to noxious stimuli.”

24
Moorhead, J.G. & Griffen, R.W. (2006). Organizational Behavior, 3rd Edition. USA: Houghton
Mifflin Company.

25
Selye, H. (1983). The Stress Concept: Past, Present, and Future. In C. L. Cooper (ed.). Stress
Research: Issues for the Eighties. New York: John Wiley.
 28

Thus, he defined stress as a response, and it became the

dependent variable in stress research. Selye’s research

described and explained a physiological response pattern

known as the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) that was

concentrated at retaining or attaining homeostasis or the

stability of physiological systems that maintain life.

Sale’s theory has the following basic premises: (a) The

stress response (GAS) is defensive and does not depend upon

the nature of the stressor; (b) the GAS, as a defense

reaction, evolved in three well-defined stages (alarm,

resistance, and exhaustion); and (c) if the GAS is severe

enough and/or protracted, disease states could result in

death or the so-called diseases of adaptation. Earlier,

Selye hypothesized that cognitive variables such as

perception did not affect the initiation or moderation of

the GAS. Much later, however, in 1983 Selye extended his

theory to include both negatively and positively toned

experiences that could contribute to and moderated by

cognitive factors.26

It is noteworthy to mention that Selye’s basic

theoretical premise that stress was a physiological

phenomenon was not changed. In the absence of any changes

in his theory, it was impossible to explain psychological

26
Ibid.
 29

stress. This could not be done in the context of a theory

that was strictly limited to physiology and neglected

cognitive-perceptual factors. In fact, problems inherent in

a normative or generalized response theory were

demonstrated when Mason disconfirmed the non-specificity of

physiological responses to noxious stimuli in rats and

monkeys.

Dantzker’s stress and job satisfaction survey of

twelve police departments in six states indicated that

police officer participants had low overall job

satisfaction levels. They reported the greatest

dissatisfaction with the pay and the least dissatisfaction

with supervisory support. Police officers between the ages

of 20 and 25 were more satisfied than other age groups.27

The male police officers had higher job satisfaction levels

than female police officers. The men were more likely to

change police departments, while the women were more likely

to accept a job offer different from policing. Police

officers with the rank of sergeant had the lowest

satisfaction level compared to other police officers. While

the education level of police officers did not have a

27
Dantzkers, L.S., Fakolade, O.A., and Adeyinka, T. (2010). Perceived Causes of Job Stress among
Police Officers of the USA. New Horizons in Education.
 30

significant impact on job satisfaction levels, the finding

syndicated a weak relationship between education and job

satisfaction. Finally, ethnicity/race and age had the

greatest impact on the police officers’ perceptions of job

satisfaction. Black officers reported greater satisfaction

than did their white colleagues.

Rothmann investigated the relationship between job

satisfaction, occupational stress, burnout, and work

engagement as dimensions of work-related wellbeing in a

sample of members of the police force in South Africa. A

survey design was used. Stratified random samples of

members of the police force were taken in the North West

Province of South Africa.28 The Minnesota Job Satisfaction

Questionnaire, Police Stress Inventory, Maslach Burnout

Inventory – General Survey and Utrecht Work Engagement

Scale were used as measuring instruments. The results

provided support for a four-factorial model of work-related

wellbeing consisting of the following dimensions: job

satisfaction (indicating pleasure vs. displeasure),

occupational stress (indicating anxiety vs. comfort),

28
Rothman, B. (2010). Factors Influencing Stress and Coping Strategies Among the Degree College
Teachers of Dharwad City, Karnataka. Unpublished Master's Thesis. University of Agricultural Sciences,
Dharwad.
 31

burnout (indicating fatigue vs. vigour), and engagement

(indicating enthusiasm vs. depression).

Bokti and Talib examined the occupational stress and

job satisfaction of male navy personnel in Malaysia. A

total of 40 male officers and non-officers, from the seaman

and engineering and supply branch in the Lumut Naval Base

participated in the study. Data were collected using a

self-administered questionnaire, the Job Satisfaction

Survey and Job Related Tension Index. This preliminary

study established internal consistency using Cronbach alpha

values for both instruments.29 Additionally, the study

determined the level of occupational stress, job

satisfaction and relationship between occupational stress

and job satisfaction facets. The findings of the study

revealed that the reliability of both instruments were

greater than 0.80. The majority of the male Navy personnel

reported moderate levels of job satisfaction in the

favorable nature of work facet. High occupational stress on

the other hand, was related to an unknown superior’s

evaluation of one’s workplace performance. Correlational

analyses found that occupational stress was associated with

overall job satisfaction and in eight of its facets.

29
Kobasa, B. and Sutil T. (1989). Stressful life Events, Personality and Health: An Inquiry into
Hardiness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
 32

Collectively, results provide evidence that both

instruments are reliable in the Malaysian military setting

context.

Selokar, Nimbarte, Gaidhane, and Wagha assessed the

level of stress among police personnel and to find the

association of various factors with the level of stress

among police personnel. A cross-sectional study was

conducted among 102 police personnel in Wardha city. A

structured questionnaire based on The Professional Life

Stress Test by Fontana was given to all participants. A

grading scale was used to link participant’s verbal

descriptions of perceived stress to a numerical scoring

system being given scores between zero and five. The total

score obtained for each respondent was considered as a

measure of stress level. Different stressors that were

identified among the police personnel included criticism by

superiors, excess work, no rewards, and inadequate value

given to abilities and commitments and no satisfaction from

work. Seventy participants scored 15 which indicated that

stress in the workplace was a problem, while 32

participants scored 15, indicating stress in the workplace

was not a problem. A significant association was found with

 33

between age group, marital status, education and working

hours and the level of stress among police personnel.30

Ortega, Olof-Brenner, and Leather studied a sample of

1,534 police officers from a British police force. Data

were collected through focus groups and a context-specific

questionnaire. The questionnaire developed reflected the

working environment of the organization as determined from

the focus groups. The questionnaire solicited information

on the physical and social working environment of the

specific group of officers. Personality traits were

measured with a short adaptation of Buchanan's online

version of Goldberg. (Ortega, 2001) Other questions

pertained to job stressors, coping strategies, health and

well-being, and work attitude and behavior.

In the study of Pinca et al on the correlates of

organizational stress and job satisfaction of the PNP

officers of Catarman, it was found out that socio-

demographic variables were not related to the stress and

job satisfaction of the respondents. It was also found out

that the respondents were experiencing only mild stress

during the conduct of the study (Pinca, et al, 2015).

30
Sacco, M.D.F. (2011). The Psychophysiological Impact of Burnout in Special and General Police
Officers of Wardha. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Auburn University.
 34

In the study conducted by Estrellado on the stress

management mechanism or techniques of the non-commissioned

police officers of the second district of Northern Samar,

it was found out that work-related tasks are the most

common sources of stress among the PNP officers in the

area. It was also found out that lack of creative

recreation contributes to the stress. Further, the study

revealed that sports and other recreation activities are

the most efficient way of managing stress apart from

efficient time and personnel management. The study of

Estrellado and the present study are similar since both

involve PNP personnel as respondents and both also employed

correlational method. The difference is that while both

studies tackle stressors or sources of stress, this study

shall only deal with recommendations to reduce stress while

the study of Estrellado dealt with stress management

techniques or mechanism.31

Marquita also conducted a study on the stress level

and predictors of elementary grade teachers of the province

of Northern Samar using descriptive correlational method

with a survey questionnaire as the data-gathering

instrument. The findings of the study put forth that

31
Estrellado, L.M. (2012). Stress Management of Police Non-Commissioned Officers of the Second
District of Northern Samar. Unpublished Master of Arts in Education Thesis, University of Eastern
Philippines-Laoang.
 35

stress level experienced by the respondent-teachers ranged

from average to high and some of the sources of stress

identified were lesson-planning, preparation of IMs,

classroom management and the like. The study is similar to

the present study since both deal with work-related stress.

The difference is that while the study of Marquita dealt

with elementary teachers, this study dealt with police

officers.32

Coping Strategies of Correctional Officers

Correctional officers have an important role in the

functioning of prison institution institutions, working

directly with the incarcerated population and being

responsible for the custody of the convicted prisoner. This

is a little studied professional group that works in total

or closed institutions that are difficult to access for

investigations. The complexity of their activities is

manifested in the specificities of an institution of

control and surveillance and in the stigma associated with

its functions.

They need to work in teams, demonstrate attention,

self-control, a proactive attitude, initiative, and the

32
Marquita, J. (2012). Correlates and Predictors of the Level of Stress of the Elementary School
Teachers of Northern Samar. Unpublished Master of Arts in Education Thesis, University of Eastern
Philippines.
 36

capacity to negotiate adverse situations. These

professionals maintain the environment of safety in the

prisons and are frequently exposed to various situations

that produce tension, such as threats and aggression. They

work under constant pressure, subject to the risk of death,

and with little visibility and social recognition.

The posture “always alert and constantly expecting”

generates anxiety and this “necessary sensorial” diligence

leads to great psychological distress. Studies have

described how the stressful and dangerous nature of working

inside a prison environment can have repercussions in the

health of these professionals, in the form of physical

diseases, stress, burnout, family problems, or incapacity

to carry out their duties, in addition to compromising

institutional safety.

For decades, the negative effects of the

Taylorist/Fordist organization of labor have been

discussed, emphasizing: the fragmentation of labor that

separates conception and execution, associated with

managerial control of the labor process, and the rigid

hierarchy that leads to the demotivation and alienation of

workers, as well as an imbalance in their work load. In

common with the Taylorist method of production management,

the thinking and planning work of the penitentiary

 37

institution is restricted to a small group, expecting the

majority to execute the delegated activities, with a clear

division between those who plan and those who execute.

 38

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted in the province of

Northern Samar. Northern Samar is a province located in the

Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catarman and is

located at the northern portion of the island of Samar.

Bordering the province to the south are the provinces of

Samar and Eastern Samar. To the northwest, across the San

Bernardino Strait is Sorsogon; to the east is the

Philippine Sea and to the west is Samar Sea.

Northern Samar covers a total area of 3,692.93 square

kilometers. It ranks thirty seventh in size among the 80

provinces of the Philippines and accounts for practically

1.2 percent of the total land area of the country. About 52

percent of the total land area is covered by forest and 42

percent is classified as alienable and disposable.

Northern Samar is divided into three major

geographical areas, namely: Balicuatro area, Central area,

and Pacific area including Catubig Valley – the province’s

rice granary. It comprises 24 towns or municipalities with

569 registered barangays. The province is divided into two

legislative districts, the first district, covering the

 39

Balicuatro and most part of the Central area, and the

second district, covering some part of the Central area,

the Pacific area and the Catubig Valley.

It has a population of 632,379 in 2015 census who are

called Waray-Waray or Waray and specifically Nortehanon for

the people of Northern Samar itself. Most of the people

speak Ninorte Samarnon, a variation of Waray-Waray, some

are Cebuano and Inabaknon. Northern Samar is classified as

a second class province and is considered a very rural area

with 65% of its people residing in the country side. Its

present governor is Jose L. Ong of Laoang, Northern Samar.

This study was specifically conducted in the different

correctional facilities in Northern Samar. This included

the Northern Samar Provincial Jail situated in Bobon,

Northern Samar and its sub-provincial jails situated in

Allen and Laoang, Northern Samar, and district jails in

Catarman and Laoang, Northern Samar.

Research Design

This study will utilize a descriptive type of research

specifically survey and correlational method. A survey

method will be used to measure the existing phenomenon and

to use the data for problem solving. The correlational

research will examine the “covariation” of two or more

 40

variables. Correlational study will be used to determine

the extent to which the independent variables such as age,

civil status, educational attainment, rank, years in

service, salary grade, household size, number of

dependents, number of dependents who are studying, and type

of house, are related to the level of stress of the jail

officers.

Research Variables

This study will involve ten independent variables,

namely: age, civil status, educational attainment, rank,

years in service, salary grade, household size, number of

dependents, number of dependents who are studying, and type

of house, and one dependent variables which are the level

of job stress of the jail officers.

Population and Sampling Technique

This study will use complete enumeration of the jail

officers in the different correctional facilities in

Northern Samar.
 41

The Respondents

The respondents of this study will be the jail

officers in the different correctional facilities in

Northern Samar.

Research Instrument

A survey questionnaire will be used to gather data

needed in this study. The researchers will use this

instrument to ensure that the respondents personally

answered all the queries. The original English version will

be translated into local dialect to facilitate better

understanding of the questions by the respondents.

The instrument will be composed of six parts. Part 1

will deal with the profile of the parolees and

probationers, in terms of age, civil status, educational

attainment, rank, years in service, salary grade, household

size, number of dependents, number of dependents who are

studying, and type of house. Part 2 will ascertain the

level of stress of the jail officers in the different

correctional facilities in Northern Samar. Part 3 will

assess the stressors of the jail officers in the different

correctional facilities in Northern Samar. Part 4 will find

out the effects of stress to the jail officers in the

different correctional facilities in Northern Samar. Part 5

 42

will discover the coping strategies of the jail officers in

the different correctional facilities in Northern Samar.

And part 6 will discern the problems encountered by the

jail officers.

The items on the level of stress and stressors in the

questionnaire will be patterned from the study of

Estrellado on the Level of Stress Encountered by Police

Officers in Northern Samar. The items on the effects of

stress will be patterned from Panatik, et.al on his study

on the Impact of Work-related Stress on the Well-being of

Police Personnel. The coping strategies will be patterned

from the study of Koski and Bantley, 2013 as cited by

Presado, 2017.

Validation of the Research Instrument

The survey questionnaire that will be used in this

study will be patterned from the studies of Estrellado,

Panatik, et.al., Koski and Bantley, and Presado. Hence, no

validation is necessary.

Scoring and Interpretation of Data

For more understandable interpretation of the

statistical methods such as frequency and percentage

distribution, numerical schedules will be used.

 43

Independent Variables

Age. The ages of the respondents will be tabulated;

the mean will be computed.

Civil Status. This will be categorized into single,

married, and widower/widow. These will be presented with

the following codes:

Single - 1

Married - 2

Widow/er - 3

Frequency counts and percentages will be determined.

Educational Attainment. This will be categorized into

college level, college graduate, and post-graduate. These

will be presented with the following codes:

College Level - 1

College Graduate - 2

Post Graduate - 3

Frequency counts and percentages will be determined.

Rank. This will be categorized according to their

status of employment.

Frequency counts and percentages will be determined.

Years in Service. This will be categorized as long

period and short period. Mean will be computed.

 44

Salary Grade. This will be categorized according to

their salary grade. Frequency count and percentage will be

computed.

Household Size. This will be categorized as large size

and small size household. Frequency count and percentage

will be computed.

Number of Dependents/Number of Dependents who are

Studying. This will be categorized as large and small. The

actual number of dependents will be tabulated and mean was

computed.

Type of House. This will be categorized as nip hut,

wooden house, concrete semi-bungalow, and concrete

bungalow. Frequency count and percentage will be computed.

Stressors. This will be categorized into the following

with corresponding scores and interpretation:

Always - 5

Often - 4

Sometimes - 3

Seldom - 2

Never - 1

The mean will be computed and interpreted as follows:

Very Much Stressed - 4.2 – 5

Much Stressed - 3.4 – 4.19

Moderately Stressed - 2.6 – 3.39

 45

Less Stressed - 1.8 – 2.59

Not Stressed - 1 -1.79

Coping Strategies. This will be categorized into the

following with corresponding scores and interpretation:

Strongly Agree - 5

Agree - 4

Neutral - 3

Disagree - 2

Strongly Disagree - 1

The mean will be computed and interpreted as follows:

Very High - 4.2 – 5

High - 3.4 – 4.19

Moderate - 2.6 – 3.39

Low - 1.8 – 2.59

Very Low - 1 -1.79

Scoring was reversed for the negatively-keyed

statements.

Dependent Variables

Level of Stress. This was categorized into the

following with corresponding scores and interpretation:

Always - 5

Often - 4

Sometimes - 3

Seldom - 2
 46

Never - 1

The mean will be computed and interpreted as follows:

Very Much Stressed - 4.2 – 5

Much Stressed - 3.4 – 4.19

Moderately Stressed - 2.6 – 3.39

Less Stressed - 1.8 – 2.59

Not Stressed - 1 -1.79

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will ask the permission of the heads

of the different correctional facilities in Northern Samar

through a letter signed by the adviser, professor, chairman

of the department and the dean of the college to conduct

the study. Upon approval by the heads of correctional

facilities, the researchers will start gathering the data

through answering the survey questionnaire along with the

personal interview of the respondents in the places where

they gathered, in their office, and in the locality of the

jail officers. And finally, right after the data gathering,

the researchers will collect, record, tally and tabulate

the data to facilitate the statistical computation,

analysis and interpretation.

 47

Statistical Treatment of Data

The data that will be gathered will be tabulated and

analyzed statistically using mean, frequency counts,

percentage, ranking, and weighted mean.

Chi-square test will be used to test the relationship

between the independent and dependent variables.

 48

LITERATURE CITED

Carter, O., et al (2008). Burnout Among Police Personnel

Administrators: A Preliminary Study. Journal of
Special Education Leadership.

Cooper, C. and Robert, P. (1988). Causes, Coping and

Consequences of Stress at Work. New York, Wiley Pub
Inc.

Cox, T., Griffiths, A. J., Barlow, C., Randall, R.,

Thomson, T., and Gonzalez, E. (2000). Organizational
Interventions for Work Stress: A Risk Management
Approach. Sudbury: HSE Books.

Dantzkers, L.S., Fakolade, O.A., and Adeyinka, T. (2010).

Perceived Causes of Job Stress among Police Officers
of the USA. New Horizons in Education.

Estrellado, L.M. (2012). Stress Management of Police Non-

Commissioned Officers of the Second District of
Northern Samar. Unpublished Master of Arts in
Education Thesis, University of Eastern Philippines-
Laoang.

Kerr, R.A., Breen, J., Delaney, M., Kelly, C., and Miller,
K. (2001). A Qualitative Study of Workplace Stress and
coping in Secondary Teachers in Ireland. Irish Journal
of Applied Social Studies.

Khaleque, A. and Choudhary, N. (1994). Job Facets and

Overall Job Satisfaction of Industrial Managers.
Indian Journal of Industrial Relations.

Kobasa, B. and Sutil T. (1989). Stressful life Events,

Personality and Health: An Inquiry into Hardiness.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Manwong, R.K. (2008). Fundamentals of Criminology. Wiseman

Bookstore. Quezon City.

Marquita, J. (2012). Correlates and Predictors of the Level

of Stress of the Elementary School Teachers of
Northern Samar. Unpublished Master of Arts in
Education Thesis, University of Eastern Philippines.
 49

Moorhead, J.G. & Griffen, R.W. (2006). Organizational

Behavior, 3rd Edition. USA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Pinca, W.J. et al. (2015). Correlates of Job Satisfaction

and Operational Stress of Police Officers at Catarman
PNP Station. Unpublished Thesis, University of Eastern
Philippines.

Rothman, B. (2010). Factors Influencing Stress and Coping

Strategies Among the Degree College Teachers of
Dharwad City, Karnataka. Unpublished Master's Thesis.
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.

Sacco, M.D.F. (2011). The Psychophysiological Impact of

Burnout in Special and General Police Officers of
Wardha. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Auburn
University.

Selye, H. (1983). The Stress Concept: Past, Present, and

Future. In C. L. Cooper (ed.). Stress Research: Issues
for the Eighties. New York: John Wiley.
 50

Appendix A
Letter to the Dean

Republic of the Philippines

University of Eastern Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
University Town, Northern Samar

Department of Criminology

___________________

MARIA ALFE G. BANAWIS, DALL

Dean, College of Arts and Communication
University of Eastern Philippines
University Town, Northern Samar

Madam:

The undersigned are BSCriminology senior students of

the University of Eastern Philippines, and are presently
conducting a thesis entitled: “LEVEL OF JOB STRESS AND
COPING STRATEGIES OF JAIL OFFICERS IN CORRECTIONAL
FACILITIES IN NORTHERN SAMAR.”

In connection with this, please allow us to conduct a

data gathering to the respondents.

Thank you so much.

Respectfully yours,

Noted: IAN JAY D. SABANGAN

JOY E. PRESADO, DPA LOWELL J. TEOPINTO
Research Adviser/Professor Researchers

Recommending Approval:

JOSE E. GABON, JR., DCJE

Chair, Criminology Department

Approved:

MARIA ALFE G. BANAWIS, DALL

Dean, College of Arts and Communication
 51

Appendix B
Letter to the Department Chair

Republic of the Philippines

University of Eastern Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
University Town, Northern Samar

Department of Criminology

___________________

JOSE E. GABON JR., DCJE

Officer In-charge
Criminology Department
College of Arts and Communication

Sir:

The undersigned are BSCriminology senior students of

the University of Eastern Philippines, and are presently
conducting a thesis entitled: “LEVEL OF JOB STRESS AND
COPING STRATEGIES OF JAIL OFFICERS IN CORRECTIONAL
FACILITIES IN NORTHERN SAMAR.”

In connection with this, please allow us to conduct a

data gathering to the respondents.

Thank you so much.

Respectfully yours,

Recommending Approval: IAN JAY D. SABANGAN

JOY E. PRESADO, DPA LOWELL J. TEOPINTO
Research Adviser/Professor Researchers

Approved:

JOSE E. GABON, JR., DCJE

Chair, Criminology Department
 52

Appendix C
Letter to the Jail Warden

Republic of the Philippines

University of Eastern Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
University Town, Northern Samar

Department of Criminology
_________
Date
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

Sir/Ma’am:

The undersigned are BSCriminology senior students of

the University of Eastern Philippines, and are presently
conducting a thesis entitled: “LEVEL OF JOB STRESS AND
COPING STRATEGIES OF JAIL OFFICERS IN CORRECTIONAL
FACILITIES IN NORTHERN SAMAR.”
In connection with this, the researchers would like to
ask permission to conduct this study in your office. They
further request the jail officers to serve as respondents
of this study.
The researchers further assure you that all the data
which will be gathered from this study will be kept
confidential and will only be used for this study. Thank
you.
Respectfully yours,

Noted: IAN JAY D. SABANGAN

JOY E. PRESADO, DPA LOWELL J. TEOPINTO
Research Adviser/Professor Researchers

JOSE E. GABON, JR., DCJE

Chair, Criminology Department

Recommending Approval:

MARIA ALFE G. BANAWIS, DALL

Dean, College of Arts and Communication
 53

Appendix D
Letter to the Respondents

Republic of the Philippines

University of Eastern Philippines
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
University Town, Northern Samar

Department of Criminology
_________
Date
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

Sir/Ma’am:

The undersigned are BSCriminology senior students of

the University of Eastern Philippines, and are presently
conducting a thesis entitled: “LEVEL OF JOB STRESS AND
COPING STRATEGIES OF JAIL OFFICERS IN CORRECTIONAL
FACILITIES IN NORTHERN SAMAR.”
In connection with this, the researchers would like to
request your full cooperation by answering the attached
questionnaire honestly and to the best of your knowledge.
The researchers further assure you that all the data
which will be gathered from this study will be kept
confidential and will only be used for this study. Thank
you.
Respectfully yours,

Noted: IAN JAY D. SABANGAN

JOY E. PRESADO, DPA LOWELL J. TEOPINTO
Research Adviser/Professor Researchers

JOSE E. GABON, JR., DCJE

Chair, Dept. of Criminology

Recommending Approval:

MARIA ALFE G. BANAWIS, DALL

Dean, College of Arts and Communication
 54

Appendix E
Survey Questionnaire

LEVEL OF JOB STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES OF THE JAIL

OFFICERS IN THE DIFFERENT CORRECTIONAL
FACILITIES IN NORTHERN SAMAR

Part I. Profile of the Jail Officers

Age:
___ years old

Civil Status:
___ Single
___ Married
___ Widow/er

Educational Attainment:
___ College Level
___ College Graduate
___ Post Graduate

Rank:
________________

Years in Service:
__________ years

Salary Grade:
________________

Household Size:
________________

Number of Dependents:
________________

Number of Dependents who are Studying:

________________

Type of House:
____Nipa Hut
____Wooden House
____Concrete Semi-Bungalow
____Concrete Bungalow
 55

Part II. Level of Stress of Jail Officers

Directions: Below are the statements to determine your

level of stress. Please answer by checking the code that
corresponds to your level of stress.
Always - 5
Often - 4
Sometimes - 3
Seldom - 2
Never - 1

Statements 5 4 3 2 1
1. Shift work
2. Working alone at night.
3. Over-time demands.
4. Risk of being injured on the job.
5. Work related activities on days off (e.g.
court, community events)
6. Traumatic events (e.g. domestics, death,
injury)
7. Managing social life outside the work.
8. Not enough time available to spend with
friends and family.
9. Paperwork.
10. Eating healthy at work.
11. Finding time to stay in good physical
condition.
12. Fatigue (e.g. shift work, over-time).
13. Occupation-related health issues
(e.g. back pain)
14. Lack of understanding from family and
friends about your work.
15. Making friends outside the job.
16. Upholding a “higher image” in public.
17. Negative comments from the public.
18. Limitations to social life (e.g. who
your friends are, where you socialize).
19. Feeling like you are always on the
job.
20. Friends/family feel the effects of
the stigma associated with job.
 56

Part III. Stressors of the Jail Officers

Directions: Below are the statements to determine your

stressors. Please answer by checking the code that
corresponds to your stressor.
Always - 5
Often - 4
Sometimes - 3
Seldom - 2
Never - 1

Stressors 5 4 3 2 1
1. Dealing with co-workers.
2. The feeling that different rules apply to
different people (e.g. favoritism)
3. Feeling like you always have to prove
yourself to the organization.
4. Excessive administrative duties.
5. Constant changes in policy/legislation.
6. Staff shortages.
7. Bureaucratic red tape.
8. Too much computer work.
9. Lack of training on new equipment.
10. Perceived pressure to volunteer free
time.
11. Dealing with supervisors.
12. Inconsistent leadership style.
13. Lack of resources.
14. Unequal sharing of work
responsibilities.
15. If you are sick or injured your co-
worker seem to look down on you.
16. Leaders over-emphasize the negatives
(e.g. supervisor evaluation, public
complaints)
17. Internal investigation.
18. Dealing the court system.
19. The need to be accountable for doing
your job.
20. Inadequate equipment.
 57

Part IV. Effects of Stress

Direction: Check the items as many as what you
experience as to the effects of the stress.

( ) Poor work performance

( ) Poor time management
( ) Reduced stamina and endurance at work
( ) Poor health
( ) Easily angered at work or at home
( ) Reduced quality time for family
( ) Poor relation with workmates
( ) Reduced flexibility at work
( ) Others, pls. specify

Part V. Level of Coping Strategies

Direction: Please check the code that corresponds to
your answer on you coping strategies in dealing with
stress.
Strongly Agree - 5
Agree - 4
Neutral - 3
Disagree - 2
Strongly Disagree - 1

Task-Oriented Coping Strategies 5 4 3 2 1

1. I focus on the problem and see how I can
solve it.
2. I think about how I solve similar
problem.
3. I determine a course of action and
follow it.
4. I work to understand the situation.
5. I take corrective action immediately
6. I think about the event and learn from
it.
7. I analyze the problem before reacting.
Emotion-Oriented Coping Strategies 5 4 3 2 1
1. I blame myself for having gotten into
this situation.
2. I feel anxious about not being able to
cope.
3. I blame myself about being too emotional
about the situation.
 58

4. I become very upset.

5. I blame myself for not knowing what to
do.
6. I wish that I could change what had
happened or how I felt.
7. I focus on my general inadequacies.
Avoidance Coping Strategies 5 4 3 2 1
1. I take some time off and get away from
the situation.
2. I treat myself to a favorite food or
snack.
3. I visit a friend.
4. I buy myself something.
5. I spend special time with a special
person.
6. I go out for snack or meal.
7. I phone a friend.

Part VI. Recommendations to Reduce Stress

What can you recommend to lessen the stress you are

experiencing as jail officers?

______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.

Thank you!