Work Stress in Occupational Therapists Assessed by the Occupational Stress Indicator

Abstract

Levels and sources of work-related stress, measures of type A behaviour pattern and perceived locus of control, use of coping strategies and indicators of work-related stress (mental and physical ill health, sickness absence and job satisfaction ratings) were examined in 60 members of two district occupational therapy departments as part of a larger study of stress within health service employees. Comparisons were made with other professions allied to medicine (PAMs) and nurses on these measures and were used as the basis for comparing occupational stress variables across health service groups. Overall, occupational therapy staff reported similar levels of stress to junior hospital doctors, less than physiotherapists and most nursing groups (particularly those working with psychiatric patients); they were middle ranking amongst paramedical groups but experienced more stress than administrative and clerical staff and general managers. Occupational therapy staff scored lower than nurses and other PAMs, as a group, on measures of type A behaviour pattern (although they were equally ambitious) and had similar scores on perception of control items. They were ranked second of 17 in their reported use of a range of coping strategies. Whilst occupational therapy emerges from this study as an attractive profession (being ranked sixth of 17 NHS groups on job satisfaction), staff reported relatively high levels of emotional and physical ill health symptoms and a middle ranking for sickness absence. Thirteen (22%) of the occupational therapy staff had scores on either mental or physical ill health, or both, that were equal to or greater than the average score of patients attending clinical psychology departments with problems of anxiety or depression. The results of this first reported comparative study of workplace stress in occupational therapy staff in the UK are discussed and suggestions made for overcoming the unwanted effects of stress.