Occupational Stress, Well-Being, and Pediatric Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey Design Study

This quantitative study aimed to investigate their self-reported stress levels and work factors that could help to predict occupational stress in pediatric occupational therapists. A cross-sectional survey design study used voluntary response sampling of 154 pediatric occupational therapists. Two-thirds of the surveyed therapists reported moderate to dangerous levels of workplace stress. Analysis of the scores on the Workplace Stress Scale and the Work Environment Impact Scale-Self Report demonstrated a significant positive relationship. In addition, the negative correlations on both of these scales with the scores on the Scales of General Well-Being-clinical tool were significant. Multiple regression analyses resulted in one significant predictor of increased occupational stress and decreased well-being: married marital status. The significant well-being predictors of occupational stress were calmness, connection, autonomy, awareness, optimism, and development. These findings provide new insight into occupational stress and the general well-being of pediatric therapists, which may affect their health, employee retention, and professional sustainability.