Occupational stress, organisational commitment and ill-health of employees at a higher education institution in South Africa

The objectives of this study were to assess the indicators and moderators of occupational stress at a higher education institution in South Africa, as well as differences based on language and years of experience at the institution. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The participants included academic and support staff at a higher education institution (N = 372). An Organisational Stress Screening Tool (ASSET) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Workload, control, work-relationships and pay and benefits were the major occupational stressors in the institution. Compared to the international norm, participants reported higher levels of physical and psychological ill-health and perceived lack of commitment from the organisation. Analysis of variance revealed differences in occupational stress levels for all the biographical variables tested. Organisational commitment moderated the effect of occupational stress on ill-health. Opsomming Die doelstellings van hierdie studie was om die aanwysers en verligtende faktore van beroepstres in ’n hoëronderwysinstansie in Suid-Afrika te identifiseer, asook moontlike verskille gebaseer op taal en jare ervaring by die instansie te bepaal. ’n Dwarsdeursnee-opnameontwerp is gebruik. Die deelnemers het bestaan uit akademiese en ondersteuningspersoneel verbonde aan ’n hoëronderwysinstansie (N = 372). ’n Organisasiestresgraderingsinstrument (ASSET) en ’n biografiese vraelys is afgeneem. Oorlading, kontrole, werksverhoudinge en salaris en byvoordele was die vernaamste stressore in die instelling. Vergeleke met die internasionale norm, het deelnemers hoër vlakke van fisieke en psigologiese ongesondheid gerapporteer, en ook ’n gebrek aan verbondenheid komende van die werkgewer ervaar. Variansieanalise het verskille in werkstresvlakke uitgewys vir al die biografiese veranderlikes wat getoets is. Organisasieverbondenheid het die effek van beroepstres op ongesondheid gematig.

Download Full-text

Job insecurity, sense of coherence and the general health of employees at a higher education institution in South Africa

Corporate Ownership and Control ◽

10.22495/cocv12i4c6p6 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 660-670

Author(s):

Sam T Setati ◽

Marius Stander ◽

Wilfred Isioma Ukpere

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

South Africa ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

General Health ◽

Job Insecurity ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Education Institution ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Higher Education Institution ◽

Cross Sectional

This study investigated the relationship between job insecurity, sense of coherence and general health of employees in a higher education institution in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 229) was taken from academic and non-academic staff members of the institution. The Job Insecurity Inventory, General Health Questionnaire and Orientation to Life Questionnaire were administered. The results showed that a negative relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, while a positive relationship exists between sense of coherence and general health. High job insecurity and a weak sense of coherence predicted ill health. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that higher education institutions should attend to job insecurity by communicating effectively with employees, in order to clarify expectations, and ensure support from supervisors. Developing the employees’ sense of coherence can positively impact on their wellness. Owing to the cross-sectional design of the study, no conclusions regarding causality was drawn.

Download Full-text

Occupational stress of employees in an insurance company

South African Journal of Business Management ◽

10.4102/sajbm.v37i3.605 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 29-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W. J. Coetzer ◽

S. Rothmann

Keyword(s):

Occupational Stress ◽

Survey Design ◽

Job Insecurity ◽

Insurance Industry ◽

Job Characteristics ◽

Insurance Company ◽

Organisational Commitment ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Control

The objectives of this study were to assess the internal consistency of the ASSET, to identify occupational stressors for employees in an insurance company and to assess the relationships between occupational stress, ill health and organisational commitment. A cross-sectional survey design was used. An availability sample (N = 613) of employees in an insurance company was used. An Organisational Stress Screening Tool (ASSET) was used as measuring instrument. The results showed that job insecurity as well as pay and benefits were the highest stressors in the insurance industry. Two stressors, namely job characteristics and control were statistically significant predictors of low organisational commitment. Physical ill health was best predicted by overload and job characteristics. Three stressors, namely work-life balance, overload and job characteristics best predicted psychological ill health.

Download Full-text

Young women’s knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer screening at a selected higher education institution in Lesotho: a cross-sectional survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1032630/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Isabel Nyangu ◽

Tanki Moteane

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Young Women ◽

Education Institution ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Higher Education Institution ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes

Abstract Background In Lesotho, cervical cancer is the most common female cancer and leading cause of death amongst women. In 2019, the annual number of new cancer cases was 477 and 346 women died from cancer related complications in Lesotho. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of young women towards cervical cancer screening at a selected higher education institution in Lesotho. Methods A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire from 80 young women. Random sampling using a fishbowl technique was used to select study respondents. Permission to conduct the study was sought and granted from relevant authorities. Informed consent was sought from the respondents who were identified using codes and participated voluntarily. Data were analysed using Microsoft excel and presented using proportions and diagrams. Results Fifty percent (n=40) of the women did not know cervical cancer screening tests, 70% (n=56) did not know about the frequency of screening, whilst 75% (n=60) knew that human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine is used to prevent cervical cancer. Additionally, 95% (n=76) had not screened for cervical cancer, 65% (n=52) perceived cervical cancer screening as painful, 35% (n=28) said it caused discomfort, and 95% (n=76) needed more information on cervical cancer screening. Conclusions Even though some respondents had knowledge on cervical cancer and its prevention, the uptake of the screening procedure was low. Negative experiences of pain and discomfort were reported amongst those who had the procedure done. This heightens the need for health education and incorporating regular cervical cancer screening in health care services to increase reassurance, counselling, and the uptake of the procedure amongst young women.

Download Full-text

Personal growth initiative among Industrial Psychology students in a higher education institution in South Africa

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v42i1.1283 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Angelique De Jager-van Straaten ◽

Lené Jorgensen ◽

Carin Hill ◽

Jan Alewyn Nel

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

South Africa ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Education Institution ◽

Psychology Students ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Higher Education Institution ◽

Personal Growth Initiative ◽

Growth Initiative

Orientation: Personal growth initiative (PGI) is an important characteristic of workplace counsellors. Industrial and organisational (I-O) psychologists often assist employees with counselling for work-related and personal problems, and therefore PGI is an important research topic for this profession.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the PGI of I-O psychology students in a higher education institution in South Africa, as well as to explore differences in PGI between demographic groups.Motivation: According to the scope of practice for psychologists, growth and development of employees form part of an I-O psychologist’s responsibilities. PGI is an important characteristic of I-O psychologists as it enables them to efficiently assist employees in growth and development processes.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A purposive non-probability sample (N = 568) of I-O psychology students was taken from a higher education institution in South Africa. A biographical questionnaire and the personal growth initiative scale (PGIS) were used as measuring instruments.Main findings: The results indicated that (1) the PGIS is a valid and reliable measure of PGI, (2) PGI is prevalent amongst I-O psychology students and (3) PGI differs between certain demographic groups.Practical implications: The findings of this study will assist in the future development of a training programme for I-O psychology students to equip them with the counselling skills they need to function in a counselling role.Contribution: This study contributes to knowledge regarding the importance of PGI for I-O psychology students. The study will also assist higher education institutes to adapt their training programmes in order to prepare I-O psychology students for their role as counsellors. More knowledge will also be provided with regard to the functioning of the PGIS.

Download Full-text

Occupational stress, sense of coherence, coping, burnout and work engagement of registered nurses in South Africa

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v35i1.423 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Johanna J. Van der Colff ◽

Sebastiaan Rothmann

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Registered Nurses ◽

Occupational Stress ◽

Work Engagement ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Survey Design ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the occupational stress, sense of coherence, coping, burnout and work engagement of registered nurses in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population consisted of 818 registered nurses. The Nursing Stress Inventory, the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, the COPE, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were administered. The results show that the experience of depletion of emotional resources and feelings of depersonalisation by registered nurses were associated with stress due to job demands and a lack of organisational support, focus on and ventilation of emotions as a coping strategy, and a weak sense of coherence. Work engagement was predicted by a strong sense of coherence and approach-coping strategies.

Download Full-text

An adapted model of burnout for employees at a higher education institution in South Africa

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v30i3.157 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. E. Coetzee ◽

S. Rothmann

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

South Africa ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

Survey Design ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Education Institution ◽

Years Of Experience ◽

Higher Education Institution ◽

Language Groups

The objectives of this study were to test an adapted four-factor model of burnout consisting of Exhaustion, Cynicism, Professional Efficacy and Cognitive Weariness for employees of a higher education institution in South Africa and to determine differences in burnout levels between different language groups and employees with different years of experience at the institution. A crossectional survey design (N = 372) was used. The Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey, the Cognitive Weariness Scale and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Structural equation modelling confirmed the hypothesised four-factor model of burnout. The scales showed acceptable internal consistencies. Analysis of variance revealed differences in burnout and cognitive weariness for groups with different languages and different years of experience at the institution. Opsomming Die gesinslewensikluskonsep is as ’n hulpmiddel gebruik in marksegmentering om bemarkingstrategieë te ontwikkel. Huishoudings is egter nie altyd gesins-gebaseerd nie en kan bestaan uit enkel-, dieselde geslag-, en saamblyhuishoudings wat elkeen merkbare verskille kan toon ten opsigte van verbruikspatrone. Ondersoek is gedoen oor die huishoudingslewensiklusteorie as basis vir marksegmentering in die Suid-Afrikaanse omgewing. Die resultate dui daarop dat ofskoon die huishoudingslewensiklus bruikbaar is om tussen huishoudings te differensieer in terme van verbruiksgedrag, diè teorie nie uitsluitlik en in isolasie gebruik moet word nie vanweë die hoë vlak van binne-stadium verskillendheid.

Download Full-text

Demographic differences, occupational stress and organisational commitment among employees in higher education institution

Journal of Governance and Regulation ◽

10.22495/jgr_v4_i4_c5_p12 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 658-668

Author(s):

Simbarashe Zhuwao ◽

Sam T. Setati

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Occupational Stress ◽

Academic Staff ◽

Education Institution ◽

Work Relationships ◽

Organisational Commitment ◽

Demographic Differences ◽

Higher Education Institution ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Low Levels

The objectives of this study was to determine the levels of occupational stress and organizational commitment of employees and to determine the differences of occupational stress and organisational commitment based on demographic information in a higher education institution. The sample consisted of 141 academic staff. The Organisational Stress Screening Tool (ASSET), and Allen and Meyer’s Organisational Commitment Tool (OCT) were used. The results showed that different occupational stressors contributed significantly to low organisational commitment. Occupational stress levels about job characteristics, work relationships, job overload and job control contributed to low levels of organisational commitment. The results also showed that there is a significant difference in occupational stress and organisational commitment levels based on the demographic differences of employees.

Download Full-text