Occupational stress of emergency workers in Gauteng

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the construct validity, internal consistency, construct equivalence and item bias of the Emergency Worker Stress Inventory (EWSI) and to identify occupational stressors for emergency workers. A cross-sectional survey design was used. An accidental sample (N = 405) of emergency workers in Gauteng was used. The EWSI was developed as a measuring instrument and administered together with a biographical questionnaire. Three internally consistent stress factors, namely Lack of Resources, Job Demands and Inherent Emergency Work Stressors w ere extracted. Low structural equivalence regarding perceived stressors was detected for the Nguni-language group. No practically significant differences were found between occupational stressors of emergency workers in different positions and language groups. Opsomming Die doelstellings van hierdie navorsing was om die konstrukgeldigheid, interne konsekwentheid, konstrukekwivalensie en itemsydigheid van die Nooddienswerker Stresvraelys (NWSV) te bepaal en beroepstressore vir nooddienswerkers te identifiseer. ’n Dwarssnee opname-ontwerp is gebruik. Die studiepopulasie is met behulp van ’n beskikbaarheidsteekproef (N = 405) van nooddienswerkers in Gauteng verkry. Die NWSV is ontwikkel vir die studie en saam met ’n biografiese vraelys afgeneem. Drie interne konsekwente stresfaktore, naamlik Tekort aan Hulpbronne, Poseise en Inherente Nooddiens Stressore is onttrek. Lae konstrukekwivalensie is ten opsigte van waargenome stressore vir die Nguni taalgroep gevind. Geen prakties betekenisvolle verskille is tussen die beroepstressore van nooddienswerkers in verskillende posisies en taalgroepe gevind nie.

A psychometric evaluation of measures of effective well-being in an insurance company

“…Firstly, the results supported a three-dimensional factor structure of the MBI-GS, as has been consistently found across various samples, occupational groups and countries Schutte et al, 2000;Storm, 2002;Taris et al, 1999). The threedimensional factor structure of the UWES was also confirmed, a finding supported by research in different samples, groups and countries (Naudé, 2003;Schaufeli, Martinez et al, 2002;Storm & Rothmann, 2003b). Also, reliability analysis confirmed sufficient internal consistency of the subscales of the MBI-GS and the UWES.…”

“…Despite a few studies of the UWES in South Africa (e.g. Naudé, 2003;Storm & Rothmann, 2003b), more research regarding work engagement in different occupational settings in South Africa is required. Schaufeli, Martinez et al (2002) also found that the hypothesised three-factor model of work engagement was invariant across Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese samples.…”

“…Internal consistencies of the three subscales were determined at 0,78 (Vigour), 0,89 (Dedication) and 0,78 (Absorption). In a sample of emergency workers, Naudé (2003) found that a re-specified three-factor model (after deleting items 15 and 16) fitted the data best. Internal consistencies of the three subscales were determined at 0,70 (Vigour); 0,83 (Dedication) and 0,67 (Absorption).…”

Secondary Traumatic Stress, Psychological Wellbeing and Life Satisfaction of Social Workers in Namibia

“…Study outcomes on professional caregivers are contradictory, given that some individuals experience high levels of PWB despite a stressful environment (Taubman-Ben-Ari & Weintroub, 2008), while others encounter high levels of chronic stress, burnout and exhaustion due to a stressful environment (Collins, 2008;Naudé & Rothmann, 2003;Rothmann & Malan, 2003). Supporting positive outcome, studies on societies in distress demonstrated a slightly elevated level of wellbeing, regardless of their stressful environments (Keyes, 2007;Ryff, Keyes, & Hughes, 2004).…”

“…Attention is increasingly given to professional caregivers based on the intensity of emotional involvement with traumatised people (Bride et al, 2003;Taubman-Ben-Ari & Weintroub, 2008). Researchers disagree about the experience of positive emotional consequences by professional caregivers (Hope, 2006;Naudé & Rothmann, 2003;Rothmann & Malan, 2003).…”