Perceived Occupational Stress among NCAA Division I, II, and III Athletic Directors
Increasing demands among contemporary administrators of intercollegiate athletics may potentially create role overload and lead to occupational stress (0S). The purpose of this study was to identify perceived stress levels of intrinsic administrative tasks among NCAA Division I (n = 37), II (n = 27), and III (n = 44) head athletic directors (ADs), and to determine if these perceptions varied by divisional status. A 21-item survey was administered to randomly selected subjects (N = 108) to assess (a) demographics, (b) general perceptions of OS, and (c) levels of task-related stress, on a 5-point Likert scale. One-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc comparison reveals no significant difference (p > .05) in general perception of job stress across divisions; Ads across divisions reported perceived evidence of, and quick recovery from, OS almost always using a mean cutoff of 3.5. Significant differences (p < .05) for task-related stress were revealed between Divisions I and II in policy decision making and Divisions II and III in fund raising. Budget demands and firing rated highest as almost always (3.5 cutoff) stressful across divisions.