Comparison of occupational stress in teachers and software professionals : A questionnaire study

Abstract

Background: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines occupational stress as "the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker". Limited availability of current research on occupational stress in the education as well as the information technology (IT) sectors motivated us to conduct this study that juxtaposes stress among these two groups, whose roles become increasingly important, as our nation looks towards globalization. The present study is to evaluate and compare the levels of occupational stress among teachers and software professionals. Methods: This cross sectional analytical study was conducted in August 2007 in an arts college and an IT firm in Chennai, India. The study involved a structured and validated drop off questionnaire, completed anonymously by 127 individuals (62 college professors and 65 software professionals). Various aspects of occupational stress like role overload, role ambiguity, peer pressure, low status and strenuous working conditions were graded using a Likert scale and then analyzed using Occupational Stress Index Score system devised by Rizzo et al. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 15. Student’s t - test was performed to compare occupational stress among teachers and software professionals. Results: IT professionals experienced significantly higher level of stress due to group and peer pressure (p<0.01). Teachers experienced significantly higher level of stress due to role overload and strenuous working conditions (p<0.05). Conclusion: Stress at work needs careful monitoring and remediable stressors should be eliminated with the help of an organizational change and effective stress management.