PERCEIVED STRESS, MENTAL HEALTH AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG WORKERS

Abstract

Background: This study examined the prevalence of job dissatisfaction and stress and their health implications among 403 workers drawn from nine Nigerian banks located in Asaba. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents in their places of work. Methodology: Descriptive and predictive analyses were undertaken. Chi-square test was used to examine the factors associated with job satisfaction, stress and general health. Binary multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the determinants of psychological health of the bank staff. All statistical analyses were set at 5%. Results: The results show that 64.3 % of respondents were satisfied with their jobs while 35.7% were not. The main causes of job satisfaction were good pay, being able to pay one bills and dream job. The primary causes of job dissatisfaction were much stress, time consuming nature of banking jobs, overbearing nature of superiors and unsuitable work environment. Also, 58.1% of respondents were under stress while 41.9% were not. Stresses in places of work were caused by unsettled home, children upbringing, failed projects and anxiety associated with fear for loss of job. The tendency to quit jobs was connected to job dissatisfaction, the need to attend to family issues and illnesses. Majority of the respondents were not diagnosed of any form of ailment; did not take medicine for nervous ailment and did not perceive they have any form of nervous illness. However, 46.7% of them had poor psychological health as 53.3% had good psychological health, using the GHQ-28 Scale. The sub-analysis based on the use of logistic regression showed that workers from Access, Eco Bank, FCMB and Zenith Banks are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. Also, workers that are within the age grade 21-29 are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. Female bank workers and those whose children are aged 10-15 are more likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs. Conclusion: Among other things, the study recommends that health-related programmes such as stress management seminar should be organized frequently, health-related policies employees’ health should be initiated, and health insurance coverage should be improved for bank workers.