FEATURES OF PROFESSIONAL DEFORMATION AMONG PROBATION OFFICERS IN UKRAINE

Professional deformation is a widespread phenomenon among representatives of various occupational groups, especially in roles classified as “people-oriented.” The risk associated with professional deformation among probation officers in Ukraine lies in its negative impact on both job performance and personal life. Several factors contribute to the development of professional deformation in probation officers, including economic, political, social, legal, organizational, pedagogical, and psychological factors. The primary factors leading to professional deformation among probation officers include stress, moral fatigue, job dissatisfaction, psychosocial environment, repeated stressful situations, emotional suppression, personal values, overload of professional duties, lack of professional development, and exposure to traumatic events. The particularities of professional deformation among probation officers manifest in the following ways: emotional burnout, cynicism and loss of empathy, loss of faith in the system, deterioration in physical health, reduced sense of security, behavioral changes, a tendency toward isolation, increased consumption of alcohol or drugs, and a decline in work quality. This article aims to identify the specific characteristics of professional deformation among probation officers in Ukraine. It clarifies the concept of “professional deformation” and identifies its cognitive, emotional, and behavioral levels. The specifics of probation officers’ work are outlined, highlighting the extreme nature of their work with individuals under probation measures. The article identifies the causes of professional deformation in probation officers and describes the manifestations of this phenomenon. Keywords: professional deformation, probation, probation officers, emotional burnout, professional burnout, factors of professional deformation, stress.