Occupational stress, well-being, and pediatric occupational therapists: A mixed-methods study

Occupational stress is a risk factor for the sustainability of occupational therapy. This mixed methods study aimed to investigate the self-reported stress levels of pediatric occupational therapists. A qualitative descriptive approach followed a quantitative descriptive correlational study. The results indicated that a third of pediatric occupational therapists surveyed for this study scored severe to dangerous levels of workplace stress, with another third falling into the moderate range of workplace stress. The mean stress score of this study compared to the mean score of the validating sample of the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS) indicated that there were significantly higher stress levels of the participants in this study compared to the validating sample with a large effect size. The WSS and the Work Environment Impact Scale-Self Report (WEIS-SR) demonstrated a significant positive relationship. WSS and the WEIS-SR significantly negatively correlated with the Scales of General Wellbeing-clinical tool. Being married is the only significant predictor of increased occupational stress and decreased well-being. The significant well-being predictors of occupational stress were calmness, connection, autonomy, awareness, optimism, and development. The interplay of positive and negative work experiences of occupational stress shaped the participant's work functioning and well-being. It provided detailed descriptions to understand further the dynamic interaction between occupational stress, general well-being, and work functioning. All three are needed for pediatric occupational therapists' health, employee retention, and professional sustainability.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Occupational Therapy

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Goffredo, Christopher Adam

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Bowyer, Patricia

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Fletcher, Tina
• Roberts, Heather
• Miller, Anastasia

• Pediatric occupational therapists
• Stress
• Occupational stress
• Well-being
• Work
• Occupational therapy
• Occupational therapists
• Pediatrics
• Wellness
• Burnout

Language dc:language.iso

English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/16204

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/16204