Correlation between Occupational Stress and Job Satisfaction among Psychiatric Healthcare Workers: A Case of Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the correlation between occupational stress and job satisfaction among psychiatric healthcare workers at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital (MNTRH) in Nairobi County, Kenya. Its objectives were to establish the prevalence of occupational stress among psychiatric healthcare workers, examine the causes of occupational stress among psychiatric healthcare, determine the strategies used by psychiatric healthcare workers to cope with occupational stress and assess the relationship between occupational stress and job satisfaction among psychiatric healthcare workers. The study adopted a correlational research design and targeted psychiatric healthcare professionals who included clinical psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrist, and psychiatric nurses. Yamane Taro’s formula was used to calculate a sample size of 98 respondents. Random sampling technique was used to select 98 respondents for the study. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used in data collection. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis, with the aid of SPSS software. The study established that healthcare workers experienced attacks of anxiety, sleeping problems, erratic moods, loss of appetite, depression, and burnout which were all indicative of occupation stress among healthcare workers. The study also found various levels of occupational stress among psychiatric healthcare officers ranging from mild stress levels at 35(37%) moderate stress levels at 45(47%) and severe stress levels at 15(16%). Also, findings indicated that occupational stress led to decreased job satisfaction. The study concluded that occupational stress is negatively correlated with job satisfaction leading to reduced job motivation, decreased work enjoyment, decreased job commitment and increased employee complaints. The study recommended that management of MNTRH need to take proactive measures towards ensuring that the levels of occupational stress among its employees are brought down.

Description

MASTERS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Keywords

Occupational Stress, Job Satisfaction, Psychiatric Healthcare Workers, Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya

Citation

Mboje, P. W., (2023). Correlation between Occupational Stress and Job Satisfaction among Psychiatric Healthcare Workers: A Case of Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya: Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences