Causes and Implications of Stress among Academic Staff: A Case of the Catholic University in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

: This research investigated stress management and coping mechanisms employed by members of the academic staff at Catholic University in Zimbabwe. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. In all, 50 academic members were sampled through the use of convenient sampling technique. Questionnaires and structured interviews were used to solicit for the requisite data for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data as extracted from the responses and to compare relationships among variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), post hoc multiple comparison analyses and Pearson correlations were computed in an attempt to understand data and phenomena better. The study among other things found out that academic staff experienced stress related disorders. Most stress related disorders faced by the academic members of the university were sleeping problems, feeling overwhelmed, fatigue and various pains including headaches. It was also found out that poor interpersonal relationships, work overload, poor conditions of service, large classes and lack of professional development where the major drivers of stress among academic staff. The respondents adopted coping strategies such as confronting, distancing themselves, church-going, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, escaping/ avoidance, planned problem-solving and positive reappraisal. The study recommended training of staff in stress coping mechanisms and awareness of those things that mitigated stress like lack of recreation and lack of leisure. The study also recommended improvement of conditions of service and reduction of work overload including reduction of class sizes.