Determinants of occupational stress affecting employees performance in public universities in Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of occupational stress and how it affects employees’ performance in the public universities in Kenya. Specifically the study seeks to: determine the effect of working facilities stress factors on the performance of employees in public universities in Kenya; identify the influence of workplace relationship stress factors on the performance of employees in public universities in Kenya; establish the impact of management stress factors on the performance of employees in public universities in Kenya; find out the effect of motivation stress factors on the performance of employees in public universities in Kenya; and to assess the influence of movement stress factors on the performance of employees in public universities in Kenya. The study employed a cross-sectional evaluation survey approach. This study used both qualitative and quantitative methods in the selection of the participants and collection of data. Cluster sampling was employed to select 384 respondents. Data collection instruments included interviews, questionnaires and document reviews. The collected data was captured in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 24 (Statistical Package for Social Scientists). Linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were run to determine relationship between stress factors and workers performance. The analyzed data was presented in suitable graphs, charts and tables. By correlating the determinants of stress with performance, the study found out that the determinants of stress include movement, motivation, workers relationships, management and working facilities. The study found a significant relationship between Worker’s relationship, Worker’s movement, Workplace facilities, Motivation and Management and employee performance. Conditions of the workplace have been shown to lead to negative emotional reactions, physical health both short-term and long term, and counterproductive behaviours at workplace for example absenteeism, alcohol and drug abuse negatively influencing performance of employees resulting to poor productivity. The universities should provide seminars offering positive coping strategies as opposed to the said negative coping strategies.