Occupational Stress as a Predictor of Mental Health Status of Universities Lecturers in South-East Nigeria

doi:10.7176/jep/12-34-04

Abstract

The focus of this study was to determine occupational stress as a predictor of mental health status of universities lecturers in south-east Nigeria. three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted the correlation survey research design. A sample of 940 lecturers were selected using the multistage sampling procedure. The instrument adopted for data collection is the Occupational Stress Inventory Revised Edition (OSI-R) which was developed by Samuel H. Osipow in 1998 and The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) developed by Lovibond and Lovibond in 1983. The administration of the instrument was done through direct delivery approach to the Lectures, in administering the instrument, A total of 920 (100%) questionnaires were administered with a retrieval rate of 902 (98%). Data collected were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The study revealed that occupational stress of lecturers between 20-40 years of age had contributed to 51.0 percent and is a significant predictor of their mental health, occupational stress of lecturers within 40 years and above had contributed to 72.0 percent of their mental health and occupational stress of lecturers within 40 years of age is a significant predictor of their mental health. the findings further revealed that that occupational stress of lecturers jointly with age had contributed to 72.0 percent and 6.2 percent respectively of their mental health and occupational stress and age of lecturers is a significant joint predictor of their mental health. Based on the strength of this findings, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made among others that Routine medical check on the mental health status of lecturers should be sponsored by federal and state governments for lecturers in federal and state institutions respectively. Keywords: Occupation, Stress, Occupational Stress, Mental Health, Lecturers, Universities DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-34-04 Publication date: December 31 st 2021

Highlights

The World Health Organisation along with the International Labour Organisation recently reported that long working hours led to 754,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016 and beyond, showing a 29% increase since 2000
There is no significant relationship between occupational stress and mental health of University Lecturers in South-east, Nigeria within 40 years below
There is no significant relationship between occupational stress and mental health of University Lecturers in South-east, Nigeria within 40 year above

Summary

Introduction

The World Health Organisation along with the International Labour Organisation recently reported that long working hours led to 754,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016 and beyond, showing a 29% increase since 2000. Substantial number of strokes and heart diseases resulted from working at least 55 hours a week compare to working 35 to 40 hours a week. A study by Akinade in Adebiyi (2013), stated that Nigerians are working harder and longer hours (especially those in some demanding professions) which include lecturing. Stress forms part of the day-to-day activity of an individual. Reasons recorded for stress experienced differs from person to person due to variations in people’s mental health

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion