Wellbeing in Frontline Correctional Officers: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review

Correctional officers (COs) work in high stress environments, frequently experience critical incidents, and have shown high levels of burnout. The current review synthesizes and evaluates literature on determinants of CO wellbeing. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute approach for mixed method systematic reviews. Eligible studies measured subjective or psychological wellbeing in frontline COs. Studies of disorder absence or non-frontline COs or associated professions were excluded. Searches of psychology and criminal justice databases including PsycINFO (EBSCOhost) and Criminal Justice (ProQuest) were completed in June 2021, and data were synthesized using a convergent segregated approach. A total of 29 studies were included and explored individual, interpersonal, and organizational determinants of wellbeing. Key themes identified by thematic synthesis of qualitative research included job satisfaction, personal growth, and coping. COs can experience wellbeing, however, further research into determinants of CO wellbeing is required