Sleep disorders among prison officers in Poland

INTRODUCTION: Workplace conditions have a documented effect on employee health including sleep. Occupational stress and burnout are more frequent among penitentiary personnel than the general population. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to examine the phenomenon of insomnia and its relationship with occupational burnout in a sample of Polish prison officers. METHODS: The study was carried out on a sample of Polish prison officers using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). RESULTS: showed that the Polish prison officers exhibited early symptoms of insomnia. Sleep disorders had a significant role in developing occupational burnout. Coping strategies such as help-seeking and engagement were revealed to have a mediating role in the relationship between insomnia and occupational burnout dimensions. The coping strategy of help-seeking was the only predictor of insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: The results can constitute a significant argument for health promotion campaigns highlighting sleep hygiene directed at penitentiary personnel. A research model created for the purposes of future studies would allow for measuring the frequency of health behaviors, including the general category of preventive behaviors. The study warrants continuation. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.