Influence of occupational stress on the mental health of Ghanaian professional women

Abstract

a b s t r a c tManagerial women experience a number of work-related stressors which produce strain symptoms that function as predictors of their ill-health in organizations. This finding is made from a study that examined the existing relationships among job characteristics symptoms of stress, and the development of health outcomes (depression, anxiety and physical symptoms) among women in lower and middle management positions in some organizations in Ghana. The stratified and simple random sampling procedure was used to select the study participants which numbered 170 female managers. Data was collected using both questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed using the Occupational Stress Indicator, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Beck's Anxiety Inventory. It is concluded that since work-related stressors are predictors of women managers' ill-health in the work environment, organizations should be aware of the stressors in order to be able to guard against the deterioration of job performances of their women managers. Relevance to Industry: This study highlights the high prices organizations pay for the work-related stresses their women managers experience at the workplace, which impact negatively on their mental health, and by implication their productivity. Recommendations made can be used to enhance the managerial capacity and productivity of female managers at the workplace.

Stress, Health and Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Employee and Organizational Commitment

“…Since the beginning of the 20th century work stress has been a major topic for researchers and practitioners working in the fields of psychology, organizational behavior, health and medicine [ 7 , 8 ]. Evidence shows that work related stress has a negative impact on employee job performance, and their physical and psychological well-being, including musculoskeletal and immune system complications [ 9 , 10 ]. Stressors can also adversely affect operational efficiency; it is reported to increase employee turnover, accidents and ill health and reduce employee motivation and satisfaction, all of which may impact on the overall functioning and profitability of organizations [ 11 ].…”

Resonant Breathing Biofeedback Training for Stress Reduction Among Manufacturing Operators

“…The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of resonant frequency breathing biofeedback training on alleviating stress-related symptoms among manufacturing operators. We evaluated the degree and level of occupational stress in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress as they have been recognized as important mental outcome measures in a stressful workplace [36,37,38]. Furthermore, poor working conditions may be a significant predecessor of stress and may, therefore, contribute to the occurrence of depression or anxiety [39].…”

Occupational Stress and Psychological Well-Being: The Role of Psychological Capital

“…In case, if these issues were not taken seriously, the occupational stress also results in low job satisfaction, psychological distress, poor mental and physical well-being, high absenteeism, turnover rate and intention to quit, accident and errors, and burnout among employees. Furthermore, evidence shows that occupational stress has a negative impact on employee job performance, and their physical and psychological well-being, including musculoskeletal and immune system complications [19,20]. All of these, consequently, impact on the overall functioning and profitability of organization [20].…”

“…Furthermore, evidence shows that occupational stress has a negative impact on employee job performance, and their physical and psychological well-being, including musculoskeletal and immune system complications [19,20]. All of these, consequently, impact on the overall functioning and profitability of organization [20]. Thus, this matter needs to be resolved immediately by taking several interventions to ensure the overall employees well-being meet the standards in performing better in the workplace.…”