Institutional Determinants of Stressful Situations in Public Authorities of Ukraine

Abstract

The meaning of the terms «stress» and «stressful situation» in the context of public authorities' professional activity is revealed. The relationship between the categories «environment» and «situation» in terms of factors influencing civil servants' stress tolerance is studied. The definitions of the terms "public authority", «subjects of public authority», and the forms of exercising public authority in Ukraine are presented. The standard and distinctive features of state and municipal forms of public power in Ukraine are determined. Among the institutional characteristics of public authorities in Ukraine, those that need to be administered as determinants of stressful situations are singled out: the pressure of civil society and dualism at each public authority level. To confirm this, the article presents the results of its survey of civil servants and local government officials in Ukraine to identify internal and external stressors in their work, which affect its effectiveness and efficiency. The obtained results testify to the lack of perfect legislation in public administration in Ukraine and the ignorance of specialists of all institutional norms that regulate public authorities' professional activity. It is proposed to develop unique training programs for civil servants and officials of local governments on the interpretation of changes to regulations and instructions within these documents. It is also necessary to adapt existing vocational training programs for public authorities to the external environment's requirements, directing them to develop appropriate personal qualities. Also, a mechanism should be introduced to monitor the impact of civil servants' professional training on the effectiveness of their professional activities using measurable indicators to adjust such programs and select the most effective ones.