Occupational Stress, Causes and Management among University Senior Administrative Staff – Implications for Counselling

Abstract

This research explored the causes and management of occupational stress among university senior administrative staff in Ghana. A sample of 154 senior administrative staff, conveniently sampled from a public university in Ghana were involved in a descriptive survey. The stress levels of the respondents were assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale, while symptoms of stress were assessed with the stress symptoms checklist. The data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Result showed that most senior administrative staff were moderately stressed, with the perceived source of stress being mainly, financial. Only a few attributed the source of stress to academic or moral demands. Various symptoms of stress were also reported, including fatigue, anger and hostility, restless or sleepless, boredom and depression, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety, fears or frightfulness, easily angered, and tensed muscles. Based on the findings, we recommend that The Directorate of Humana Resource in the public universities should organize seminars on financial and stress management strategies for their senior administrative staff. University management should also collaborate with the counselling centres in the universities to design behavioural adjustment interventions for senior administrative staff, at least, once a semester to help members with financial and life style adjustments.

Keywords: Financial stress, Stress management strategies, Senior administrative staff, Public universities, Symptoms of stress

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/15-8-02

Publication date:September 30th 2025