Job satisfaction and stress in staff working in a specialist psychiatric unit for the elderly following relocation from a traditional psychiatric hospital setting.

Abstract

This study examines self-reported stress and job satisfaction of staff working in a specialist psychiatric unit for the elderly (n = 79) following relocation from a traditional psychiatric hospital setting (n = 66). The levels of reported stress were examined in relation to the two staff groups before and after the relocation, and in relation to data available for similar occupational groups. Stress and job satisfaction levels were surveyed using the Occupational Stress Indicator. The analysis of data included t-test for independent groups. The results suggested that that there were no significant changes in the patterns of the staff groups' experience of stress at the traditional psychiatric hospital and later at the new purpose-built unit. However, it was felt that there may have been different factors contributing to staff stress at the two time-points. The staff groups in this survey reported similar, and in some areas more positive levels of occupational stress than both community and other health authority samples. However, it was felt that, due to the limited response rate of staff at both times (63 and 59%), the results may be an underestimate of stress levels. In the absence of a measure of general health and symptomatology it was not possible to assess the impact of stress levels on the psychological well-being of staff. Routine audit of staff stress would be beneficial to identify potential for staff training, and individual professional development plans. This is particularly important in view of the current difficulties both locally and nationally in the recruitment and retention of qualified staff in this speciality.