Date
6-17-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Matthew Ferdock
Keywords
authoritarian leadership, transactional leadership, transformational leadership, Department of Corrections, correctional leadership, psychological well-being, burnout, job satisfaction, job performance, organizational climate, hierarchical structures, non-custodial staff, and employee well-being
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Kovacs, Brittaney Brown, "Correctional Leadership and Its Relationship to Psychological Well-Being and Job Satisfaction Among Former Department of Corrections Staff" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8574.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8574
Abstract
Correctional institutions represent complex work environments in which leadership may influence employee psychological well-being and job satisfaction. Although prior research has primarily focused on correctional officers, less attention has been paid to the broader workforce within Departments of Corrections (DOCs), including educational, healthcare, and administrative personnel. This retrospective mixed-methods study examined the relationships between employee perceptions of transformational, transactional, and authoritarian leadership styles and employee outcomes among former staff of state-level DOCs in the United States. Participants included 75 former DOC employees from multiple states. Quantitative data were collected using standardized measures of leadership, job satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine predictive relationships, and qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. Results indicated that employee perceptions of transformational leadership significantly and positively predicted psychological well-being and job satisfaction, whereas employee perceptions of authoritarian leadership significantly and negatively predicted both outcomes. Employee perceptions of transactional leadership did not significantly predict psychological well-being or job satisfaction. Qualitative findings supported these results, with participants frequently describing authoritarian leadership environments characterized by rigid hierarchies, limited employee voice, and negative workplace climates. These findings highlight the importance of supportive leadership practices in promoting employee well-being and job satisfaction within correctional settings.
