Occupational Stress: Associated Factors, Related Symptoms, and Coping Strategies Among Secondary School-heads

Abstract

This study examined occupational stress, its related symptoms, associated factors, and coping strategies among heads of secondaryschools in Kohat Division, Pakistan. A sample of 101 secondaryschool-heads was taken using a multistage sampling technique.Occupational Stress Index (Shrivastava & Singh, 1981) followedby four open-ended questions was used to investigate the studyvariables. Findings revealed that heads of secondary schools wereoccupationally stressed in their workplace. The most associatedfactors causing occupational stress were poor compensation, workoverload, lack of effective advancement and promotion policy,poor implementation of education policy, lack of basic facilities,political interference, and under-participation. Several symptomssuch as headaches, alterations in blood pressure, and digestiveproblems, were found to be associated with an increased risk ofoccupational stress. Furthermore, various related perceivedphysiological, psychological, and behavioral consequences werefound to be caused by stress at work. Findings suggest that acomprehensive strategy promoted by the education departmentshould be recommended for reducing stress among secondaryschool-heads and improving their wellbeing and other healthrelatedconditions at the workplace