Managing occupational stress: should we consider the sociodemographic groups of health workers?

Abstract

Abstract Background An essential part of occupational stress management is identifying target groups and developing a wellbeing program that tailors organisational interventions to the specific needs of the target groups. The study aimed to explore whether psychosocial risk determinants and organisational intervention objects differ across employees' groups based on sociodemographic factors in a public healthcare institution. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, paper questionnaires were delivered to all health workers (n = 690) of the Lithuanian primary healthcare institution; the response rate 68%. The questionnaire contained items related to sociodemographic groups (gender, age, job seniority, education, occupational status), 14 psychosocial risk determinants, and 10 organisational intervention objects. Nonparametric tests for comparisons of the groups were used. Results The results showed that differences by gender were not statistically significant except for one organisational intervention object. Only 3 organisational intervention objects had mean rank scores differing statistically across age and job seniority groups; 5 objects - across education groups and almost all objects - across occupational groups. Regarding psychosocial risk determinants, one determinant had mean rank scores differing statistically across age and job seniority groups; 4 and 6 determinants - across education and occupational groups respectively. Statistical significance was considered with p-value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Conclusions The findings showed that different psychosocial risk determinants and organisational intervention objects were emphasized by different sociodemographic groups of health workers in the institution, but they did not impact groups in the same measure. Therefore, it is crucial to start by determining the risk group's specific needs before developing and implementing stress management programs. Key messages The study contributes to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical solutions in occupational stress management at public primary healthcare settings. The study has proposed a way of diagnosing psychosocial risks and of tailoring interventions to all health workers of the public primary healthcare institution by using a simple and robust tool.