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Doctoral Research Assistant - Turning Points in the Careers of Correction Officers

SGAs on this project are involved in all aspects of data collection and analysis. Primary activities include interviewing out at correctional facilities, coding administrative and incident data, managing overlapping datasets, and conducting analysis.

  • Location:

    Boston and off-site at correctional facilities

  • Semester:

    Summer 2026

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  • Project Title

    Turning Points in the Careers of Correction Officers

  • Faculty / Project Lead

    Natasha Frost

  • Project Description

    In this research, we are collecting longitudinal data that can further our understanding of the relationships between occupational and life stress, coping processes and social supports, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation among correction officers. Our primary research question is: What predicts the development of symptoms of psychological distress, including suicidality, in correction officers over time? Deriving from that primary research question are five related research questions: (1) What are the effects of exposure to direct and vicarious trauma (including serious assaults and inmate and officer suicides) and singular critical incidents (including riots and major officer assaults with serious bodily injury) on behavioral, emotional, physical, psychological, and relational health on officers? (2) What are the effects of the routine occupational (operational and organizational) stressors related to correctional work on behavioral, emotional, physical, psychological, and relational health of officers? (3) How do occupational stressors and traumatic events interact to produce behavioral, emotional, physical, psychological and relational outcomes? (4) What role do coping styles, social networks, and social supports play in officers’ resilience to the impacts of occupational stressors and trauma exposure? and (5) How does correctional work impact officers’ social networks and social supports over time?

  • Qualifications Necessary

    Interviewing experience. Data analysis experience. Knowledge of SPSS/STATA. Must have access to a car.

  • Hours per Week

    20 Hour Position