Measuring Occupational Stress Within A Cross Section Of The Working Ghanaian Population And Determining Its Relationship With Health

Abstract

The major objectives of the study were to determine if Occupational stress existed amongst Ghanaian workers, and if there was a relationship between Occupational Stress and Health. It was also the objective of the study to collect normative data for the Ghanaian Population. Four hundred and sixteen Government employees in both managerial and non managerial positions were selected from key Government Organizations, including the security Services. These employees completed two inventories, the Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI) which has three Domains, the Occupational Role Domain, the Personal Strain Domain and the Personal Resources Domain. The Inventory measures Occupational Stress and Personal Strain and gives a~ indication of the Coping resources available to the individual to relieve these stresses. The second Inventory was the Stress Symptom Inventory that consisted of emotional symptoms due to stress that the employees could be experiencing. Correlational Analyses were done between the Occupational Stress Inventory, its Domains, the Stress Symptoms Inventory and the number of visits to hospital. The results revealed on the measures used that the employees of this study did experience Occupational Stress and Personal Strain. There were no differences between managers and non-managers. Results did show that the participants did make use of various Personal Resources in order to relieve their stress and that they sought medical attention for the Symptoms that they suffered for these Stresses. The study however indicated that in spite of the Personal Resources available to the employee, these resources 'Here either inadequate or failed them entirely. It has therefore, been suggested that a more in attention be given to Occupational Stress in workplace, and that emphasis should be paid to the relationship between occupational Stress and health. There should be more education for members as to how to improve their Personal Resources.