This article explores the potential of using a simple self-rating question to measure respondents' perceived level of workplace stress in standard cross-sectional surveys. This aim is based on practical experience: while there is a range of theoretical-empirical approaches to measuring workplace stress, the design and size of the research instruments derived from them often exceed the limits for being included in a typical cross-sectional survey questionnaire. The potential of using a simple self-rating scale is evaluated in terms of the scale's statistical relationships with (a) subjective quality of working life measured with a standard work satisfaction question, (b) Subjective Quality of Working Life Index, and (c) a discrepancy index. The research results reveal some problems concerning context, validity and reliability in using simple self-rating scales for measuring complex phenomena such as workplace stress. Notwithstanding these limits, this study shows that a short subjective stress measure does yield satisfactory results and offers an interpretative potential., Jiří Vinopal., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Dôležitosť sledovania pracovného stresu a jeho následkov na duševné zdravie zdôrazňuje rastúca prevalencia absencií v práci z dôvodu pracovnej neschopnosti zapríčinenej ochoreniami zo stresu. Cieľom práce bolo preskúmať osobné zdroje ako mediačné faktory pri rozvoji úzkosti a depresie v dôsledku pracovného stresu v rizikových profesiách. Skúmaný súbor tvorilo 208 pracovníkov z radov policajtov, väzenských dozorcov a colníkov (78,8 % mužov, priemerný vek 36,5 rokov), ktorí poskytli sociodemografické a pracovné údaje. Použité boli Inventórium zamestnaneckého stresu, z neho dotazníky zamestnaneckých rolí a osobných zdrojov (OSI- -R), Dotazník na meranie úzkosti a úzkostlivosti, z toho aktuálna úzkosť (STAI X-1) a Zungov dotazník depresie (SDS). Zamestnanecké roly tu predstavujú mieru pracovného stresu. Na štatistickú analýzu bolo využité štrukturálne modelovanie. Výsledný model, ktorý tvorili pracovný čas (pohotovosť, nadčasy, nočná práca), zamestnanecké roly a osobné zdroje, predikoval 35 % variability aktuálnej úzkosti a 42 % variability depresívnej symptomatiky. Signifikantnými prediktormi úzkosti boli roly preťaženia a nejednoznačnosti, ktoré boli mediované prostredníctvom osobných zdrojov rekreácie a racionálno- kognitívnych stratégií. Signifikantnými prediktormi depresie boli roly preťaženia, nedostatočnosti a nejednoznačnosti mediované prostredníctvom osobných zdrojov rekreácie, sociálnej opory a racionálno-kognitívnych stratégií. Nočná práca, nadčasy, ani pohotovosť v tomto súbore nepôsobili na úzkosť a depresiu, hoci predikovali zamestnanecké roly. Efekt pracovného stresu ako preťaženie, roly nedostatočnosti a nejednoznačnosti na úzkostnú a depresívnu symptomatiku bol štatisticky významný prostredníctvom redukovania osobných zdrojov, i keď nepriamo. Osobné zdroje sú významné mediačné faktory medzi pracovným stresom a úzkosťou a depresiou v sledovaných profesiách. Štúdia má prierezový charakter, kauzálne vzťahy môžu byť v budúcnosti overované pomocou intervenčných programov. and Background. The importance of monitoring work-related stress and its consequences for mental health is underlined by the increasing prevalence of absence from work due to stress-related illnesses.
Objectives. The aim of the study was to examine personal resources as mediating factors in the development of anxiety and depression from work-related stress in high-risk professions.
Sample and methods. The sample comprised a total of 208 police officers, prison guards and customs officers (78.8% men, an average age of 36.5) who provided socio-demographic and job-related information. The Occupational Stress Inventory was used (OSI-R), in particular Occupational Roles Questionnaire and Personal Resources Questionnaire, State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI X-1), and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Occupational roles represent measurement of occupational stress. Statistical analysis. Structural modelling was used for statistical analysis.
Results. The final model, comprising working time (emergency care, overtime, night shifts), occupational roles and personal resources, predicted 35% of variability of anxiety, and 42% of variability of depression. Significant predictors of anxiety were the roles of overload and ambiguity, which were mediated by recreation and rational-cognitive coping strategies. Significant predictors of depression were the roles of overload, insufficiency and ambiguity, which were mediated by recreation, social support and rational-cognitive coping strategies. Night shifts, overtime and emergency care did not predict anxiety and depression although they predicted occupational roles. The effect of occupational roles including overload, insufficiency and ambiguity on anxiety and depression was statistically significant, yet indirectly, by reducing personal resources. Personal resources are considerable mediating factors between stress, anxiety and depression in the studied professions.
Limits. The study was cross-sectional. Causal relationships can be further tested using interventional studies.