استرس هاي شغلي در زنان شاغل اهوازي

4 Study on job stress among employed women in Ahwaz, Iran

Job stress has been recognized as one of the important factors for human well-being. Job stress is more important among women than other groups, because of their key roles in the household. It has a negative effect on their health status and other family members, and reduce their quality of life. The aim of this investigation was to study the womenʹs job stress and dissatisfaction, and to determine the main stressors in their working places. This study was carried out on 700 employed women aged 24 to 65 years living in Ahwaz. Information was collected by a self completed questionnaire. To determine job stress, the Karasekʹs job strain model was employed. Responses were categorized and scored as ʹalwaysʹ, ʹoftenʹ, ʹsometimesʹ, and ʹneverʹ. The job stress indicators were; fire, anxiety, psychological pressures, have a boring job, dissatisfaction of work time, lack of enough rest, lack of correspondence to educational level/experience, and lack of enough independence. All 7 stress- items were scored on a scale of I to 4 ranged between 7 to 28. Those above and those below the median value (16) were signified as more and less job stress, respectively. The mean age for the women was 40.8± 10.0 years. Overall, 24.3% and 54.2% of women were dissatisfy of their job and reported job stress, respectively. Job dissatisfaction was more common among low educated and unskilled workers (P<0.001). Job stress was also more common among high-educated responders (P<0.001). Teachers compared to others reported the most job stress (66.7%, P<0.001). Lack of enough rest (96.9%), dissatisfaction of work time (91.9%), and psychological pressures (88.7%) were the most common stressors at womenʹs work. In conclusion, more attention on job satisfaction and reduction of work-time, particularly for those who are more at risk of job stress, increase the womenʹs health level and their family. Furthermore, this may increase their work production and prevent the occupational accidents. Since many womenʹs job stressors are related to management programs, managers should have the most attentions to these issues.