An Association Between Job Stress and Poor Social Support Among Healthcare Workers in Northeastern Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Job stress is an important occupational health problem globally. Hence, identification of workers at risk of developing job stress is paramount to the decision-makers. This study aims to estimate the proportion of job stress and its relationship with different categories of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the primary care and public health settings in northeastern Malaysia.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study involving 520 HCWs across all categories was conducted in Kelantan State, Malaysia. A proforma and validated Malay version of the Job Content Questionnaires were administered to obtain the data. The participants were then classified into four categories of workers according to Karasek's job demands-control model classification which were active, passive, high strain, and low strain.

RESULTS: We found that a total of 145 (28.5%) HCWs in the study have job stress (high-strain job type). HCWs with a degree or higher qualification had the highest proportion of job stress (41.2%), while the diploma group has the lowest proportion of job stress among the four academic qualification groups (22.9%). Pearson chi-square shows a significant association between Karasek's job types and the level of social support from their supervisors (p < 0.05) but no association between job strain and the level of supervisor's social support (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Job stress among HCWs is prevalent, and the professional group had the highest percentage of risk job stress as compared to other groups. There is a significant association between the supervisor's social support and Karasek's job strain categories.