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Stakeholder perceptions of job stress in an industrialized country: Implications for policy and practice

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Abstract

We used a secondary, qualitative analysis of stakeholder perceptions of work stress in Australia to characterize the context for policy and practice intervention. Themes included: Individual versus contextual descriptions of stress; perceived ‘gender’ differences in manifesting and reporting of stress; the work/home interface; and perceived sectoral and occupational differences in compensation claim rates. We found that people often still perceive stress as an individual rather than organizational problem and view work stress as a stereotypically feminine weakness that affects only certain people. Organizations downplay and overlook risks, increasing worker reluctance to report stressors, creating barriers to job stress interventions. Our study may be relevant to other industrial countries where researchers currently study job stress interventions to improve their effectiveness. Comprehensive approaches can increase knowledge and decrease stigma about job stress and mental illness, and target both work- and non-work-related influences on mental health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia

    Kathryn M Page & Anthony D LaMontagne

  2. Human Early Learning Partnership, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Amber M Louie

  3. University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada

    Aleck S Ostry

  4. Shaw Idea Pty Ltd, Mt Egerton, Australia

    Andrea Shaw

  5. School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Jeannie A Shoveller

Authors
  1. Kathryn M Page
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  2. Anthony D LaMontagne
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  3. Amber M Louie
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  4. Aleck S Ostry
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  5. Andrea Shaw
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  6. Jeannie A Shoveller
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Correspondence to Kathryn M Page.

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Page, K., LaMontagne, A., Louie, A. et al. Stakeholder perceptions of job stress in an industrialized country: Implications for policy and practice. J Public Health Pol 34, 447–461 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2013.24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2013.24

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