Effect of occupational stress on employee psychological well-being. A case of medical professionals in hospitals in Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Occupational stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other demands placed on them. Its effects can lead to the loss of many man-hours that impact negatively on organizations and the economy of Countries. Although occupational stress is not an illness, it has grievous physical and emotional effects if it is intense or prolonged. The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of occupational stress caused by job stress factors, working relationships and physical working conditions on the psychological well-being of medical professionals in hospitals in Baringo County. The specific objectives of the study were as follows: To determine whether there were differences in occupational stress and psychological well-being on different job groups of medical professionals in hospitals; To determine the effect of job stress factors on employee psychological well-being among medical professionals in hospitals; To determine the effect of social relationships at the workplace on employee psychological well-being among medical professionals in hospitals; To determine the effect of the physical working conditions on employee psychological well-being in hospitals; finally to determine the combined effects of occupational stress factors (job stress factors, social relationships in the workplace and physical working conditions) on employee psychological well-being among medical professionals in hospitals in Baringo County. Stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents of the study forming a total sample of 164 employees. Data was collected using questionnaire method and data obtained was processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis; that is, Frequencies, means, standard deviation and Percentages which were presented in tables and charts. The results indicated only relationships with colleagues differ significantly based on the professional cadre of the respondents (p< 0.05) and insignificant relationship between job stress factors and psychological well-being (r = 0.058, p > 0.05).The study also found insignificant relationship between the physical working conditions and psychological well-being (r = -0.015, p > 0.05) and insignificant between social relationships and psychological well-being (r = -0.103, p > 0.05).The multiple regression analysis showed that the relationship with patients and their families, and relationship with colleagues were the only significant predictors of employee psychological well-being. The study recommends hospital management to create hospital social support systems in order to manage the social and psychological effects of work-induced stress on employees.