Perceived Physical Health, Psychological Distress, and Social Support Among Prison Officers

This research examines perceived physical health, psychological distress, and social support among prison officers in the United Kingdom. The study found that prison officers reported poor perceived physical health and a high level of psychological distress. There were significant correlations between measures of perceived physical health and a measure of psychological distress (indicating that as perceived physical health decreased, psychological distress increased). There was some evidence that social support from within the prison moderated the relationship between perceived physical health and psychological distress, whereas social support from significant others did not. Future research and clinical implications of these findings are considered.