A perspective on occupational concerns of rehabilitation service providers

While the roles, functions and personality characteristics of rehabilitation service providers have been widely researched, much less is known about the correlates and consequences of occupational stress in these groups. In the present study measures of occupational stress, job tension, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and affective well-being were completed by 52 rehabilitation service providers drawn from a range of agencies in New Zealand. Respondents also completed two open-ended questions assessing significant stresses in their work and strategies whereby stress could be reduced. There were consistently high negative correlations between job stress and job satisfaction. The correlations of job tension with overall life satisfaction and affect were generally significant. Surprisingly there was no significant relationship between job satisfaction and general life satisfaction. There were some significant associations between job satisfaction and ratings of affect, but the pattern of results was inconsistent. Open-ended stresses identified by subjects included time pressure/workload problems, interpersonal issues, agency-created problems, and problems keeping up with the implications, for rehabilitation, of rapidly changing Government policy. Strategies for stress reduction that were identified involved more resources, training and skills; intra-agency reorganization and more effective management and communication; more networking with other professionals; and more stable, realistic and caring Government policy. Limitations of the study and future research directions were identified.