Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the occupational stress levels of mental workers of different occupations and related influencing factors, and to provide a theoretical basis for making interventions.
Methods Mental workers (n=3 200) were selected by stratified cluster random sampling strategy. Job Stress Survey (JSS) questionnaire, instrument ISTA6.0, Life Event Scale (LES), General Well-Being Schedule (GWB), and Social Support Rating Scale were applied and the results were analyzed.
Results Occupational Stress:Men were significantly higher than women in work tension, work pressure, and lack of organizational support (P<0.01). Specifically, the average score of work tension was (2.76& #177;0.36) for men and (2.63& #177;0.42) for women (P<0.01), the 30-years age group was higher compared to other age groups in terms of work tension (2.72& #177;0.38), work pressure, and lack of organizational support (P<0.05), the highly educated mental workers reported higher scores of work tension and work pressure than those with lower education level (P<0.01). Adjustment possibilities, adjustment problems, and life events (both positive and negative events) were positively correlated with occupational stress (r=0.090, r=0.346, r=0.338, respectively, P<0.01); objective support, utilization, and well-being were negatively correlated with occupational stress (r=-0.080, r=-0.093, r=-0.272, respectively, P<0.01). The main factors of occupational stress level included gender, education level, adjustment problems, positive and negative life events, individual psychological response (reverse of well-being) (P<0.05).
Conclusion Occupational stress at different levels is identified in mental workers from various occupations. Therefore, more concerns should be taken on their occupational stress levels.