International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research
Vol. 7 No. 9 (2026): International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Rese

Mental Health in The Line of Duty: Psychological Pain, Depression Severity, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Help of Jail Officers

Kyle Russelle P. Paredes (Cavite State University)
Maria Celine Abaya (Cavite State University)
Irish T. Vargas (Cavite State University)
Diana Kelly F. Condez (Cavite State University)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Sep 2026

Abstract

Mental health concerns among jail officers remain understudied despite the psychological demands and occupational stress associated with correctional work. To address this gap, this study examined psychological pain, depression severity, and attitudes toward seeking mental health services among jail officers from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Imus City Jail. Using a correlational research design, data were collected from 79 jail officers through standardized self-report instruments, namely the Psychache Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were employed to determine the levels and relationships among the variables. The majority of respondents reported low psychological pain (60.8%), although 39.2% experienced high psychological pain. Depression severity was generally minimal (62.0%), with fatigue and sleep disturbance identified as the most frequently reported symptoms, whereas suicidal ideation was the least reported. Participants also demonstrated a moderate willingness to seek mental health services. Psychological pain was significantly and positively associated with overall help-seeking attitudes (rs = .385, p < .001) and depression severity (rs = .554, p < .001). However, depression severity was not significantly associated with the help-seeking dimensions of psychological openness (rs = .204, p < .071) and help-seeking propensity (rs = −.052, p < .650), although it showed a weak but statistically significant association with indifference to stigma (rs = .239, p < .034). Overall, although most participants reported minimal to low levels of distress, a considerable proportion continued to experience elevated psychological pain. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijmaber

Publisher

Subject

Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture Computer Science & IT Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research is a peer-reviewed in a monthly basis that publishes full-length papers. it is to enhance the dissemination of knowledge across the multidisciplinary community. We are particularly interested in papers relevant to ...