Beschreibung:
A number of previous studies have examined the impact of stress on correctional officers. Findings in several of these previous studies indicate that peer support is positively related to increases in work stress. This, however, tends to contradict theoretical assumptions about the ability of support systems to offer coping mechanisms for stress. This research examines the question of methodological precision by assessing the indice used to measure "peer support." The finding described here is that, while "peer support" has been used as a reliable indicator, it well may be an invalid one when measuring work stress.