Coping with job stress by hospital doctors: a comparative study
1Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Free University and Humboldt University, Thielallee 69-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany. stefanie.mache@charite.de
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|November 1, 2012
Summary
German physicians reported higher job stress and different coping strategies compared to Australian doctors, highlighting cross-cultural differences in physician stress management.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Limited research exists on cross-cultural variations in job stress and coping mechanisms among healthcare professionals.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for developing targeted health promotion interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare job stress levels experienced by physicians in Australia and Germany.
- To analyze and contrast the coping behaviors employed by Australian and German doctors.
- To identify cross-cultural differences in occupational stress and stress management within the medical profession.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Questionnaire data were collected from 310 German and 256 Australian hospital physicians.
- The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Brief COPE Questionnaire assessed job stress and coping strategies.
Main Results:
- German physicians reported significantly higher levels of perceived job stress compared to their Australian counterparts.
- Distinct differences in coping behaviors were observed between the Australian and German physician samples.
- Both similarities and unexpected variations in job stress and coping strategies were identified.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals significant cross-cultural differences in job stress and coping strategies between Australian and German physicians.
- Findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive health promotion programs for physicians.
- Further cross-cultural research is recommended to inform effective interventions in both countries.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:27Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
01:20Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed to...
01:08Obedience
According to obedience research, we may harm others under the forceful pressures of an authority figure (Milgram, 1974). How about if the inappropriate orders were delivered with less force? The increasing interdependence between nurses and physicians compelled Hofling and his colleagues to explore nurses’ reactions to a potentially harmful medical request made by the perceived authority figure, the doctor (Hofling, Brotzman, Dalrymple, Graves, & Pierce, 1966). In this situation, obedience...
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...