Depression is frequently cited disorder among the correctional officers (COs) (Kaya, Çilli, & Güler, 2003) who must conduct their job in the presence of danger (Gillian, 2001), lack of community and organizational support (Şenol-Durak, & Durak, Gençöz, 2006). Social support, as an “exchange of resources between two persons” (Mendes de Leon, 1999, p.738) may be one crucial resource decreasing the risk of depression among them. The aim of the present study was to scrutinize determinants of depression in COs. Particularly, the role of perceived social support on depression symptoms was questioned. A total of 1348 COs from different types of prisons in Turkey participated in this study. They were asked to complete Work Stress Scale for Correctional Officers, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, The Ways of Coping Inventory, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Beck Depression Inventory. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to reveal the significant associates of depression. For this regression equation, demographic variables (i.e., gender, age etc.) were entered on the first step, after controlling for the variance accounted for by these demographic variables, work stress was entered into the equation on the second step, and on the third step affect-related variables (i.e., positive and negative affect) and coping strategies (i.e., problem-focused and emotion-focused coping) were entered into the equation. All these variables accounted for 39% of the total variance. Even after controlling for this large amount of variance, among 3 different sources of perceived social support (i.e., family, friends, and significant others) entered on the last step, perceived social support from family revealed significant association with the depression symptoms (β = -.11, t (1336) = -4.71, p < .001). Moreover, with the entrance of the Social Support Sources, explained variance increased to 42% (F change [3, 1336] = 14.12, p < .001). It is concluded that for the COs who has been working under very stressful conditions, perceived adequacy of social support received from family could alleviate depression symptoms, and this association maintained even after controlling for the effects of many other significant variables. These findings support the notion that, in depression intervention programs focusing on family support is critically important; and stress encountered in the work environment can be successfully overcome with the support received in the family environment.

Acknowledgements: This research was supported by a grant from the The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (Project no: SOBAG 105K155)