Perceived Stress Associated Factors in Workers at a Public University

To describe the predictors of perceived stress in a broad sample of workers at a Brazilian public university.

Cross-sectional study carried out with a convenience sample of workers at a public university in Brazil. To be included in the present study, the worker had to be an administrative technician. From March to August, 2017, workers were surveyed, and 929 participants answered the questionnaires of sociodemographic characterization, work and health conditions, perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory).

The multiple linear regression showed that higher perceived stress was associated with being younger and male, occupying a higher or technical position, and presenting higher levels of depression and anxiety.

These findings have implications for occupational health nurses and other health professionals to identify workers at risk for chronic and mental illness through predictors of perceived stress and to guide institutions in planning practical actions for stress management interventions.