Effects of Occupational Stress on the Marriage and Health of Female Lecturers of Technical Universities in Ghana

Abstract

University academic work environment is more compelling since the individual worker especially females are required to perform several duties within and outside the university. This study sought to explore the effects of occupational stress on the marriage and health of female lecturers. The study employed a descriptive cross-section survey design. Both married and single female lecturers at Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU) and Takoradi Technical University (TTU) were purposively sampled. The census method was used for the selection. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Mean and standard deviation, and linear regression were used to analyse data. The study found that female lecturers experience stress. Secondly, it was found that workload and job demand, the work environment and workstation, salary and compensation were the causes of stress. However, leadership issues and job specifications did not cause stress for female lecturers. Further, the study revealed that stress affects marriage and health of female lecturers. The Technical Universities should set up more comprehensive stress management programmes (such as "stress sensitization week," "counsellor week," etc.) to deal with the surging issue of stress among the female lecturers.