Authors : Swasti Mohapatra; Samuel Dinakaran S.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc8cb2xv

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5933sjb4

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr1908

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background: Occupational Therapists play a critical role in the healthcare system, providing essential rehabilitation services to individuals with physical, mental, and developmental conditions. Due to the demanding nature of their profession, they are often exposed to varying levels of workplace stress. While workplace stress has been widely studied in other healthcare professions, limited attention has been given to occupational therapists, particularly in the Indian context. This study aims to evaluate the levels of workplace stress experienced by occupational therapists in Chengalpattu district, providing insight into the overall stress patterns within this professional group.  Method: A cross-sectional study design was adopted to evaluate the workplace stress among occupational therapists. A convenient sampling was adopted for the study. The 61 individuals who were working as occupational therapists (Hospital, clinic, private sector and other) in Chengalpattu district were included in the study. The Workplace Stress Scale was used to evaluate the workplace stress.  Results: Analysis of data from 61 occupational therapists in Chengalpattu district showed that most participants experienced moderate levels of workplace stress. The likelihood ratio test revealed statistically significant associations between workplace stress and work setting (p = 0.001), while educational qualification (p = 0.064) and specialty (p = 0.287) showed no significant associations.  Conclusion: The study found that of 61 occupational therapists who participated in the study, the majority experienced moderate levels of workplace stress. A statistically significant association was found between work setting and stress levels, while no significant association was observed with educational qualification or area of specialization. Demographic imbalances may affect the generalizability of the results. Overall, the findings highlight the presence of workplace stress among occupational therapists.

Keywords : Workplace Stress, Occupational Therapist, the Workplace Stress Scale, Stress, Working Environment.

References :

1. Adel F Almutairi, N. A. (2024). The prevalence and associated factors of occupational stress in Healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia. international journal of general medicine , 809-816.
2. Akshita Sharma, D. M. (2023). Job satisfaction and workplaces stress among employees working in organisations. international journal of indian psychology , 1801-1810.
3. Arvind Kushal, S. K. (2018). Study of stress among healthcare professionals: A systemic Review. International journal of Research Foundation of hospital & healthcare administration, 6-11.
4. Cary A Brown, J. S. (2017). Occupational therapist's experience of workplace fatigue: Issues and action. 517-527.
5. Jayeeta Biswas, S. K. (2021). Prevalence of work stress among private and public sector employees in Delhi:A differential study . International journal of indian psychology, 1376-1387.
6. Kamaldeep Bhui, S. D.-M. (2016). Perception of work stress causes and effective interventions in employees working in public, private and non - government organisations:a qualitative study. Psych Bulletin, 318-325.
7. Ms. U.Saradha, D. K. (2023). A study of professional job stress among the health care workers during the emergency period. Journal of survey in fisheries science, 1102-1112.
8. Najma Iqbal, S. K. (2023). Workplace stress and employee job satisfaction among university teachers:role of work engagement. Department of psychology, 1600-1612.
9. Occupational stress in healthcare workers at a university hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (2022). Family and community medicine.
10. Ananya Roy, A. (2022). Workplace stress as a predictor for burnout in mental health: A covid-19 study. Indian Psychology, 2349-3429.
11. Sarah A.AIMuammar. Dhiyaa M.Shahadah, A. O. (2022). Occupational stress in healthcare workers at a university hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Family and community medicine.
12. Selamawit Zewdu Salilih, M., & Abajobir, A. A. (2014). Work related stress and Associated Factors Among Nurses working in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross -sectional study. American Association of Occupational Health nurses, 326-332.
13. Shatakshi Khanna, D. A. (2020). Workplace stress of female domestic workers residing in Lucknow. Journal of seybold report, 1594-1601.
14. The prevalence and associated factors of occupational stress in healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia. (2024). international journal of general medicine, 809-816.
15. Timothy Bartram, T. A. (2016). Factors affecting the job stress and job satisfaction of Australian nurses:Implications for recruitment and retention. Contemporary nurse, 293-304.
16. Tito Orlando Chunga Diaz, G. B. (2024). Work stress in health professionals: a systematic review. RGSA.
17. Tjasa Pisljar, T. v. (2011). Health among hospital employees in Europe:a cross- national study of the impact of work stress and work control. social science and medicine, 899-906.
18. World health organisation. (2023, February 21). Retrieved from who: who.int/news
19. Pradhan, M. and Khattri, P.R., 2001, Intra-psychic and extra psychic predictors of burn out in doctors: gender differences.J.Com. Gui. Res., 18(2):129-136.
20. Fontana D. Professional life stress scale. Adapted from Managing Stress. Leicester: The British Psychological Society Routledge Ltd. 1989.
21. Selam Gebeyehu and Balew Zeleke.(2019). Workplace stress and associated factors among health care professionals working in public health care facilities in Bahir Dar city , northwest Ethiopia,2017
22. The Workplace Stress Scale™© 1978 The Marlin Company and the American Institute of Stress
23. K.Asokan, G.Brindha, S.Valarmathi (2019).A Preliminary study on health care professionals (paramedical) stress due to competition, advancement of technology & environment at chennai.international journal of management, 371-376