Perception Of Occupational Stress Research Articles

Secondary School Teachers’ Perception of Occupational Stress Causes in Mwanza Region, Tanzania

This paper presents findings of the study that had examined the teachers' perception of the causes of occupational stress in Tanzania’s secondary schools. Grounded in the job-demand control model, the study employed a mixed methods research approach and specifically a descriptive design. The study collected data from a sample of 460 participants drawn from secondary schools in Mwanza city and Ilemela municipality, Mwanza region of Tanzania. The data were collected between December 2021 and June 2023 using a questionnaire with both open-ended and closed-ended questions to generate both qualitative and quantitative data. Interviews were also held with some of the purposively selected teachers to provide complementary in-depth explanation. The results show an increase in teachers’ heavy workload, low salaries, mounting debts, family problem, and a low rate of job promotion emerged to be major causes of occupational stress. These causes were mainly classified as environment, management, and interpersonal stressors. The secondary school teacher respondents identified other stressors as lack of support from administration and limited autonomy and control (work environment stressors), managing rights and needs, lack of professional development opportunities, insufficient on-the-job training and a lack of collaborative decision-making, and lack of support and resources (management); emotions, participants reported experiencing frustration, disappointment, depression and exhaustion (intrapersonal); and. poor relations, a lack of flexibility and adaptability, and a lack of patience and tolerance (interpersonal stressors). On the other hand, they suggested counter-strategies that included promoting a healthy work-life balance, providing emotional support and ensuring effective communication channels are in place. The study, therefore, recommends advocating for increased support and resources, strengthening professional development opportunities and developing a performance recognition system to address; fostering open communication, promote a positive and inclusive school culture, and providing conflict resolution and interpersonal skills training; enhancing the work conditions among teachers and promoting collaboration and collective action. Overall, addressing these stressors could allow educational institutions to create a conducive and supportive work environment capable of enhancing teacher satisfaction and effectiveness.

Work stressors and coping strategies of expecting and employed women in Germany: A cross-sectional study.

The current state of research indicates pregnancy-related discrimination as a potential stressor during pregnancy for women at work, which may result in perceptions of occupational stress. The aim of this study was to examine women's perceptions of pregnancy-related stressors at work, problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies as well as attributed consequences for mental, physical and social dimensions. The survey was completed online with a cross-sectional study design. Inclusion criteria for the study participation were being currently pregnant and engaged in paid work (regardless of full-time or part-time work). Women were recruited via social media and with the support of pro familia. Results indicate that 79 (53.4%, n = 148) participating women experienced pregnancy-related stressors at work. The most relevant kinds of stressors were intrapersonal stressors and interpersonal stressors related to employers or colleagues. The most prevalent coping strategy was to seek social support or advice from gynaecologists. Attributed physical consequences were exhaustion, fatigue and sleeping disorders. Mental health consequences were named in terms of feeling emotionally upset and having fears related to the baby's health. Family-friendly support policies need to be further developed and topics like pregnancy-related stressors need to be addressed in an occupational context. Especially the perspective and knowledge of employers on the topic needs to be strengthened, e.g., to ensure an ongoing communication between employers, HR and employees during pregnancy. Further research is needed which provides representative data, analyses employer's experiences and their attitudes in managing pregnancies as well as consequences for women when returning to work.

Hospital Physicians' Perspectives on Occupational Stress During COVID-19: a Qualitative Analysis from Two US Cities.

US physicians are at risk for high rates of occupational stress and burnout, which the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified. As approaches targeting physicians' individual resilience have fallen short, researchers are increasingly calling for studies that investigate organizational drivers of stress and burnout. To understand the multi-dimensional systems factors shaping hospital physicians' occupational stress during the pandemic. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews conducted in February-October 2021. Hospitals in New York City and New Orleans. A purposive snowball sample of attending physicians and fellows in hospital medicine, emergency medicine, pulmonary critical care, and palliative care who spent at least 4 weeks providing inpatient COVID-19 care beginning in March 2020 was selected. The sample included 40 physicians from 14 hospitals in New York City and 39 physicians from nine hospitals in New Orleans. Descriptive analysis of participants' self-reported perceptions of occupational stress. Participants identified multiple factors shaping their occupational stress including individual-level factors such as age, work experience, and life stage; institutional-level factors such as resource disparities, institutional type and size, and policies; professional-level factors such as informal rationing and medical uncertainty; and societal-level factors such as the federal response, COVID politics, and social inequalities. Stressors within and across these four levels worked in combination to shape physicians' perceptions of occupational stress at the individual level. This article contributes to an emergent literature on systems-based approaches to occupational stress and burnout among physicians by demonstrating the intersections among societal conditions, professional cultures, institutional work environments, and individual stress. Findings from semi-structured interviews suggest that interventions to reduce physician stress and burnout may be more effective if they target systems factors and stressors at multiple levels.

Measuring occupational stress in emergency departments.

EDs are highly demanding workplaces generating considerable potential for occupational stress experiences. Previous research has been limited by a focus on specific aspects of the working environment and studies focussing on a range of variables are needed. The aim of the present study was to describe the perceptions of occupational stress and coping strategies of ED nurses and doctors and the differences between these two groups. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a public metropolitan hospital ED in Queensland, Australia. All ED nurses and doctors were invited to participate in an electronic survey containing 13 survey measures and one qualitative question assessing occupational stress and coping experiences. Descriptive statistics were employed to report stressors. Responses to open-ended questions were thematically analysed. Overall, 104 nurses and 35 doctors responded (55.6% response rate). Nurses reported higher levels of both stress and burnout than doctors. They also reported lower work satisfaction, work engagement, and leadership support than doctors. Compared with doctors, nurses reported significantly higher stress from heavy workload/poor skill mix, high acuity patients, environmental concerns, and inability to provide optimal care. Thematic analysis identified high workload and limited leadership and management support as factors contributing to stress. Coping mechanisms, such as building personal resilience, were most frequently reported. The present study found organisational stressors adversely impact the well-being of ED nurses and doctors. Organisational-focused interventions including leadership development, strategic recruitment, adequate staffing and resources may mitigate occupational stress and complement individual coping strategies. Expanding this research to understand broader perspectives and especially the impact of COVID-19 upon ED workers is recommended.

Relationship Between Organizational Justice and Occupational Stress Among Indian Police Personnel

Abstract: The present research was conducted with the purpose to determine the relationship between Organizational Justice and Occupational Stress and to explore the relationship between Organizational Justice and the underlying factors of Occupational Stress among Indian police personnel. A total of 51 employees (31 male and 20 female) serving in police force among different states of India were taken through simple random sampling technique. Tools used for data collection were Organizational Justice Scale by Colquitt, 2001 and Occupational Stress Index by Srivastava and Singh, 1984. Mean, Standard Deviation, Pearson product-moment were used for data analysis. The result stated that mean score of Occupational Stress was more than the mean score of Organizational Justice. It indicated the dominating factors of Occupational Stress which collectively increases the perception of Occupational Stress among existing participants. The most dominating factors were Role Overload, Strenuous working condition, Responsibility for persons and Role Conflict; moderate dominating factors were Role Ambiguity, Unreasonable group and Political pressures, Under-participation, Powerlessness, Poor peer Relations, Intrinsic impoverishment and Unprofitability. While the least dominating factor was Low status. In addition, the result described that Organizational Justice is negatively correlated with Occupational Stress. Simultaneously, it was found that Organizational Justice is negatively associated with the factors of Occupational Stress like Role Overload, Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict, Unreasonable group and Political pressures, Under participation, Powerlessness, Poor peer Relations, Intrinsic impoverishment, Low status and Unprofitability; and positively correlated with factor Responsibility for persons. The correlation coefficients between the given variables were found significant at 0.05 level of significance. Therefore, it is recommended that management should try to reduce Occupational Stress while encouraging fair treatment to promote Organizational Justice among police personnel.

Impact of emotional intelligence on work performance: The mediating role of occupational stress among nurses.

An occupational stress was reported as an inhibitor of optimal performance among nurses. Emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a successful behavioral buffer against occupational stress and as a facilitator for better performance. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between nurses' EI and their work performance; and to examine the mediating role of occupational stress. A predictive correlational design was adopted. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to 391 full-time bedside nurses recruited from one of the big hospitals in Saudi Arabia, between April and June 2021. Data were coded and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses. The significance level for all tests was set at p≤ 0.05. Bonferroni correction method was used to control the family-wise error rate. The findings revealed an affirmative association between nurses' EI and work performance (β= 0.69, p< 0.001; r2 = 0.483). Additionally, an inverse association was established between nurses' EI and their perception of occupational stress (β= -0.54, p< 0.001; r2 = 0.286), and between nurses' perception of occupational stress and work performance (β= -0.52; p< 0.001; r2 = 0.226). Additionally, our results showed that occupational stress played a mediating role in the relationship between nurses' EI and work performance. This study presented a novel framework that includes two factors affecting work performance among nurses in Saudi Arabia. Our results suggest that EI is vital for effective work performance among nurses. Additionally, EI was found to be a useful coping strategy against occupational stress. EI has been described as a valuable asset for better performance and effective group cohesiveness among nurses. Optimal nurses᾽ performance leads to meeting patients᾽ needs and organizational goals.

The Impact of COVID-19: Nurses Occupational Stress and Strategies to Manage It.

The aim of this study was to explore the occupational stress perception of nurses and how they manage it during the COVID-19 pandemic. The management of occupational stress is a key factor in promoting nurses' well-being. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The top occupational stressors from the nurses' perspectives (N = 236) as measured by using an updated version of the Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) included wearing a face mask at all times in the hospital, unpredictable staffing and scheduling, not enough staff to adequately cover the unit, feeling helpless in the case a patient fails to improve, and being assigned to a COVID-19 patient. The mean stress score was 31.87. The updated NSS Cronbach's α was 0.92, and the interclass interclass correlation coefficient was 0.914. Nurse administrators are in a strategic position to develop interventions (eg, open door policy, meetings, and employee assistance programs) to assist nurses in effectively managing stress.

The Role of Ethical Leadership in Managing Occupational Stress to Promote Innovative Work Behaviour: A Cross-Cultural Management Perspective

This study examines the role of ethical leadership in managing occupational stress to engender innovative work behaviour (IWB) in cargo logistic SMEs in a contrasting cross-cultural management context of Canada and Pakistan. We draw on Trait Activation Theory to develop the conceptual and theoretical framework of the study. Using connections and a networking approach, a proportionate equal sample of nine SMEs were selected for the study. Analysis of the data from the semi-structured Skype and face-to-face interviews with 38 supervisors and 97 employees showed that ethical leadership plays a vital role in reducing occupational stress and increasing employees’ IWB in both countries. Employees in both countries perceiving ethical leadership exhibit more creative-constructive behaviour. The results further demonstrate that males relative to females in both countries have a higher tendency of exhibiting risk-taking behaviour and IWB, resulting from leaders’ support. Similarly, males have higher tendency of challenging the prevailing “status quo” within the organisations than females. Generally, the Pakistani workforce scored higher in contrast to the Canadian workforce in demonstrating IWB due to ethical leadership support, despite higher perception of occupational stress. Cross-cultural management implications are duly outlined.

Occupational Stress and Job Performance Among University Library Professionals of North-East India

Objective – The present study intends to investigate the occupational stress and job performance of university library professionals in North-East India. The main objective of the study is to assess the perceived level of occupational stress among library professionals and to identify any relationship between occupational stress and library professionals’ job performance. The study also aims to study gender differences regarding perceived occupational stress and job performance among library professionals as well as examine the influence of occupational stress on perceived job performance. Methods – Descriptive survey method was used for the study. The sample population consisted of 123 library professionals from different parts of North-East India selected through convenience sampling technique. The survey consisted of a structured questionnaire divided into three sections: demographic information, self-perceived occupational stress, and self-rated job performance. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques including frequency, mean, standard deviation, t test, correlation co-efficient, and simple linear regression analysis were used to analyze data and interpret results with the help of the statistical package SPSS version 20. Results – The findings of the study established that a majority of library professionals working in university libraries of North-East India perceived a moderate level of occupational stress. It was also determined that male and female library professionals do not differ in their perception of occupational stress (p &gt; 0.05), while a significant mean difference was found between male and female library professionals’ perceptions towards their job performance (p &lt; 0.05). Males scored themselves higher than females in terms of eight indicators of job performance: quality of work performance, ability to handle multiple jobs, communication skills, decision making, problem solving, technical skills, ability to perform competently under pressure, and contribution to the overall development of the library. Regarding the relationship between occupational stress and job performance, the data indicated a significant negative relationship between occupational stress and job performance (r = -0.296, p &lt; 0.01). In addition to this, intrinsic impoverishment, under participation, low status, and poor peer relationships were some of the factors negatively affecting the job performance of library professionals. Conclusion – The present study provides an insight about how occupational stress affects job performance of library professionals working in academic libraries. The findings revealed that there exists a modest but statistically significant negative relationship between occupational stress and job performance, which implies that an increment in the level of perceived occupational stress tends to influence library professionals’ self-perception of job performance negatively.

“Friday Night is their Super Bowl”: A Relational Investigation Regarding Occupational Stress Among American High School Football Officials

This interpretive research explores American high school football officials’ perceptions of occupational stress experienced both on and off the field. Within the United States, there is a current shortage of high school football officials. Overall individualistic identification within the association and how members make sense of their position on and off the field contribute to occupational stress. The research focused on one Southern Californian high school football organization officiating for youth, high school, and some college football. Data was collected through both semi-structured face-to-face interviews as well as analysis of field notes from football games and similar settings. This research utilized the theoretical framework of sensemaking as well as thematic analysis as a method in order to better understand and make sense of how members within the organization identify and manage stressful and hostile football-related situations. (Inter)personal relational stress-impacted themes emerged from the data: (1) with coaches, (2) with parents, and (3) with other officials.

A longitudinal assessment of occupational stress in Emergency Department Nursing Staff

To examine perceptions of occupational stress in Emergency Department (ED) nurses and measure the impact of interventions to address them. Cross-sectional studies internationally have established that Emergency Department (ED) nursing staff experience high levels of occupational stress. Few however have examined changes in perceptions of stress over time or the impact of interventions to address them. A structured questionnaire completed by volunteer nursing staff in one United Kingdom ED assessing perceptions of occupational stress and job satisfaction. Questionnaire rounds were administered in 2014 (T1), 2015 (T2) and 2017 (T3) at 18-month intervals. Statistical analyses were conducted using multivariate regression, t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. Statistically significant improvements in effort-reward balance, relational justice and job satisfaction were seen between T2 and T3 for nurses completing questionnaires at all three time points, but not for other stressors. This study suggests that organisational interventions, supported by robust research data and consistent departmental leadership can positively influence perceptions of organisational stress in ED nurses. Our approach is generic, internationally applicable and can be adopted in all EDs. These occupational stressors are common to all EDs. Nurse managers should know their distribution amongst their staff. Such data can inform interventions to achieve maximal benefits for staff wellbeing and may be of value when targeting resources in times of financial pressure.

Effectiveness of SPACE Model of Cognitive Behavioral Coaching in Management of Occupational Stress in a Sample of School Administrators in South-East Nigeria

Stress symptoms have been found to be highly prevalent among school administrators in Nigeria. Management of occupational stress constitutes a major challenge facing school administrators who are in secondary schools in Nigeria. The present study sought to validate the effectiveness of group SPACE model training in reducing occupational stress among secondary school administrators in south-east, Nigeria. The study employed a group randomized wait-list control trial design with pre-test, post-test and follow-up assessments. A total of 65 participants constituted the study sample. Participants were randomly assigned to immediate intervention group (IIG) and waitlist control group (WLCG). The IIG participated in a 90-min group SPACE model training programme weekly for a period of 12 weeks. Three measures were used to collect data at baseline, post-test and follow-up evaluations. Data collected were analyzed using t test statistics, repeated measures ANOVA, 2 × 3 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics and Post Hoc analysis. Results revealed that participants in the IIG had significant decrease in their perceived stress and stress symptoms compared to the WLCG. No significant changes in the occupational stress indices were found across baseline, post-test and follow-up. Given that group SPACE model training intervention was effective in mitigating perceived occupational stress and stress symptoms, even when the occupational indices could not be minimized among the school administrators, it was concluded that group SPACE model training intervention can be used to overcome negative perception of occupational stress and the associated stress symptoms in secondary school administrators.

The relation between school climate and preschool teacher stress

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between school climate and teacher stress. Specifically, the authors construct two parsimonious models to test two main hypotheses. First, whether preschool collegial leadership predicts teachers’ job stress through the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy; second, whether teacher professionalism influences teachers’ perceptions of occupational stress through the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conceptualized the mediating role of teacher efficacy as an important mechanism that can help to explain the effect of school climate on teacher stress. School climate consisted of two dimensions: principal collegial leadership and professionalism. Therefore, the authors constructed and examined two mediation models by using Bootstrapping mediation modeling: first, preschool teacher self-efficacy as a mediator between preschool collegial leadership and teacher stress; second, preschool teacher self-efficacy as a mediator between preschool teacher professionalism and teacher stress.FindingsResults from two mediation analyses showed that principal collegial leadership exerts a significant negative effect on preschool teachers’ stress through the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy. Moreover, professionalism was also a significant predictor of preschool teachers’ stress through the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the literature in terms of understanding the mechanism of how school climate helps to reduce teacher stress. First, the authors found that teachers’ individual well-being can be efficiently enhanced through a more collegial leadership. Second, the preschool leadership teams can create a supportive climate to reduce teachers’ stress by improving teachers’ professionalism.Originality/valueThis study offers a new perspective about understanding the internal and external mechanism of teacher stress. The authors discussed the results in light of the recent push by the Chinese Government to teacher quality improvement in early childhood education. The authors argued for prioritizing support for building a supportive school climate for teachers.

Identifying patterns of occupational stress trajectories among newly graduated nurses: A longitudinal study

BackgroundNewly graduated nurses have comparatively high levels of occupational stress. Previous studies have evaluated stress across this population as a whole; however, little is known about potentially different occupational stress responses among new nurses and the impact of demographic and work-related characteristics on occupational stress responses. ObjectivesTo determine differences in occupational stress levels of newly graduated nurses at different time points during the first 3 years of practice; to identify potential subgroups of nurses who perceive different occupational stress levels over time; and to evaluate differences in identified subgroups based on demographic and work-related characteristics. DesignAn observational longitudinal study. SettingsFour tertiary hospitals in Shanghai were selected randomly using a computer-generated random number table. ParticipantsAll 343 newly graduated nurses employed in the selected hospitals were invited to participate. The inclusion criteria were (1) newly graduated without nursing experience, excluding nursing internship; (2) current employment in in-patient departments/ICU/operation room; and (3) consented to participate. A total of 152 participants met criteria and completed all four points of data collection. MethodsParticipants completed an annual paper survey. Occupational stress levels were measured using the Job Stress Scale for Newly Graduated Nurses. Occupational stress scores at different time points were compared using latent growth modeling. Group-based trajectory modeling was performed to identify subgroups of occupational stress trajectory. ANOVA and Fisher’s exact test were conducted to examine the differences of demographic characteristics between classes. ResultsThe entire sample of newly graduated nurses experienced a significant decrease in occupational stress during the first three years. The best-fitting group-based trajectory model described three distinctive trajectories: low occupational stress (19.1% of sample); medium occupational stress (67.1%) and high occupational stress (13.8%). The low occupational stress subgroup had a higher proportion of nurses from Shanghai, and the majority were employed as contact- based nurses. In comparison, the high occupational stress subgroup had the largest proportion of nurses from other provinces (outside of Shanghai), almost half of participants were employed as “bianzhi” nurses, and the majority reported to be assigned preceptor by shift. ConclusionsNewly graduated nurses perceived occupational stress differently over time. Identified subgroups with different demographic characteristics have significantly different perceptions of occupational stress over the first three years of practice and future intervention programs such as peer-support programs or a standardized preceptorship should be tailored to meet the unique needs of these different subgroups.

Job satisfaction vs. occupational stress - Quantitative analysis of 3 organizational units of a public sector institution

The influence of subjective perception of occupational stress and its individual factors on the overall level of job satisfaction was analyzed. The respondents were also asked to answer the question of the potential differences in terms of variables in managers and non-managers, and in various demographic factors. This article presents the results of a study conducted among 5930 people employed in 3 units of the examined public sector institution. The research was conducted using computer-assisted web interview method. The parameters of the polynomial model of ordered categories were estimated. The results showed a statistically significant effect between the variables and the differences between the groups of subjects. Analyzes showed slight differences between men and women. Employees with a low level of stress and high job satisfaction were noted in the oldest group, aged over 55 years, and in managers. Low levels of stress and job satisfaction were observed in young employees with the shortest period of employment. Among those least satisfied with the work and experiencing high levels of stress there were respondents with 6-15 years of employment in non-managerial positions. While the highest levels of stress and high satisfaction were found in people aged 46-55 years, with more than 20 years of work experience. The results of the estimation of the polynomial model parameters of ordered categories indicate that the level of perceived stress is related to the level of job satisfaction. The lower the level of stress and stressors in the workplace, the greater the job satisfaction in the surveyed unit. Med Pr 2018;69(3):301-315.

The Role of Occupational Stress and Emotional Intelligence in Working Health-Care and Medical Environments

In this paper we investigate the effect of occupational stress and emotional intelligence on the performance of health-care employees, working in the operating room department. We expect, our results to prove useful to corresponding human resource departments for improving their practices and methods. We conducted a qualitative study with self-reported questionnaires measuring both, occupational stress and emotional intelligence. The survey was administered to health-care and medical employees in the 401 General Army Hospital of Athens. We then conducted descriptive data analysis and performed regression analysis with job performance as the dependent variable. We found that the level of emotional intelligence and occupational stress are positively correlated and they both affect performance. At the same time, gender does not seem to affect the level of emotional intelligence or the perception of occupational stress. Our regression model explains 17.6% of performance variability using the following predictor variables: the number of operations, the occupational stress and the emotional intelligence levels. However, the number of operations an employee participates in, affects the occupational stress perception. Finally, the level of emotional intelligence and annual sick leave seem to have a strong negative correlation. Hospital managers can use the findings of our research to monitor a number of variables related to emotional intelligence and occupational stress that seem to affect performance significantly.

Manejo da dor neonatal: influência de fatores psicológicos e organizacionais

Resumo Com enfoque preventivo de riscos ao desenvolvimento, este estudo analisou fatores que influenciam o manejo de dor em prematuros por 84 profissionais de saúde de uma unidade neonatal. Variáveis do ambiente, como clima e diagnóstico organizacional, e pessoais, como estresse, enfrentamento e crenças sobre prematuridade e dor neonatal, foram avaliados por sete instrumentos. Resultados evidenciaram que participantes associam a prematuridade ao peso de nascimento, reconhecem a importância do tratamento da dor (97%), mas conhecem pouco sobre sua avaliação e medidas (32%), realizando a maioria de 20 procedimentos invasivos sem analgesia (70%). O principal estressor foi o ambiente de trabalho, descrito como caótico e requerendo mudanças, mas houve equilíbrio entre esforço e recompensa na percepção do estresse ocupacional, cujo enfrentamento era do tipo "controle". Discute-se a influência do fator organizacional no engajamento-desengajamento desses profissionais em práticas adequadas de alívio da dor, subsidiando intervenções voltadas à assistência neonatal humanizada.

Stress in Spanish police force depending on occupational rank, sex, age and work-shift.

In the police force, some variables such as occupational rank, sex, age and work-shift are associated with stress in workers. The aim of this paper was to determine possible differences in the perception of occupational stress at work depending on rank, sex, age and work-shift of police agents in the Community of Madrid, Spain. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 municipalities of the Community of Madrid. A total number of 565 police agents participated. The ranks of the police agents were: constable, corporal, sergeant and police chief. Occupational stress (psychosocial risk factors at work) was assessed with the DECORE Questionnaire. All police agents perceived psychosocial risk factors adversely; especially agents of lesser rank perceived less control, fewer rewards and scarce support. There were significant differences in the perception of insufficient rewards between constables and other categories; and between constables and corporals in the perception of insufficient organisational support. No significant differences were found in the perception of psychosocial risk factors in relation to the rest of variables. The police rank should be taken into account for the development of preventive measures to reduce stress.

Chiropractors' perception of occupational stress and its influencing factors: a qualitative study using responses to open-ended questions.

BackgroundJob stress and emotional exhaustion have been shown to have a negative impact on the helping professional. The development and causal relations of job stress and emotional exhaustion are rather unclear in the chiropractic profession. The objective of this study is to understand the main sources of occupational stress and emotional exhaustion among doctors of chiropractic.MethodsAnalysis of the written responses to web-based open-ended questionnaire was performed using an interpretive research methodology. Additionally, cross tabulation and Chi square statistical tests were conducted to match and couple the demographic data with the categorical themes.ResultsFourteen professional stress categories emerged from the 970 completed surveys. “Managed Care Organization regulation”, “Managed Care reimbursement” and “Scope of Practice Issues” were the most common stressors that negatively influenced chiropractors’ professional and personal lives. The results of the categorical analysis suggests that age, marital status, number of years in practice and location of practice may have an influence on the category of stress reported by chiropractors.ConclusionsThe qualitative approach revealed common, conventional and culture-specific job stressors in doctors of chiropractic. Notably, these findings suggest an association between third-party payer influences (increased regulation/decreased reimbursement) with that of increased job stress. Further research will be undertaken to refine the stress and satisfaction parameters and address stress interventions.

Emergency department nurses' experiences of occupational stress: A qualitative study from a public hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

Occupational stress has been a health-related issue among nurses for many decades. Emergency department nurses are frequently confronted with occupational stress in their workplace; in particular, they encounter stressful situations and unpredictable events. These encounters could make them feel more stressed than nurses in other departments. Research considering occupational stress from the perspective of Thai emergency department nurses is limited. This study aimed to explore nurses' perceptions of occupational stress in an emergency department. A qualitative approach was used to gain an understanding of nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding stress in their workplace. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Twenty-one emergency department nurses working in a public hospital in Thailand were interviewed, and the data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings comprised three themes: (1) perceived stress, (2) consequences of stress, and (3) stress management. The results of this study can be used by hospital management to help them adopt effective strategies, such as support programs involving co-workers/supervisors, to decrease occupational stress among emergency department nurses. Future research that explores each of the themes found in this study could offer a more comprehensive understanding of nurses' occupational stress in the emergency department.