Occupational stress, ill health and organisational commitment of employees at a university of technology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupational stress, ill health and organisational commitment. A survey design was used. The sample (N=353) consisted of academic (n=132) and support staff (n=221) at a university of technology. The Organizational Stress Screening Tool (ASSET) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The results showed that different organisational stressors contributed signifi cantly to ill health and low organisational commitment. Stress about job security contributed to both physical and psychological ill health, whereas overload and job aspects contributed to psychological ill health. Stress about control and resources contributed to low organisational commitment. Low individual commitment to the organisation was predicted by fi ve stressors, namely work-life balance, overload, control, job aspects and pay.

Stress and Work Engagement: A Conceptual Study on Academics in Malaysian Private Universities

“…Overload, control, aspects of the job, and pay and benefits lead to low individual commitment of employees in a technology university [3]. Also, anxiety influences career commitment significantly [17].…”

“…A number of studies have shown that stress affects negatively the perceived commitment of the organization to the employee. A number of stressors such as control and resources and communications influence low organizational commitment [3]. Meanwhile, individual commitment refers to how employees are committed to their organizations.…”

“…Irritability and always being tired are some of the symptoms shown in poor physical health. [3]. Prolonged distress may lead serious diseases such as hypertension and depression.…”

“…Also, anxiety influences career commitment significantly [17]. Using ASSET, poor work relationship, poor job security, poor work-life balance, and poor resources and communication are found to be negatively related to commitment [18][8] [19] [3]. Academics suffering from stress will affect their commitment.…”

“…To measure this stress level, an Organizational Stress Screening Tool or ASSET is used [2]. This is a well-known tool for measuring the level of stress and has been used in many organizations [3]; has good construct validity [4]; and a shortened test in order to get easy and higher response rate [5]. According to the ASSET model of stress, the common workplace stressors are work relationships, work-life balance, overload, job security, control, resources and communication, aspects of the job, and pay and benefits.…”