Perceived Level and Sources of Stress in Pharmacy Administrators, Faculty and Staff

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the levels and sources of stress and to identify demographics related to stress prevalent in administrators, faculty and staff at the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy. METHODS: A stress questionnaire was designed and administered to 171 administrators, faculty and staff at the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy. The dependent variables were sources of stress and total stress levels. The independent demographic variables were sex, marital status, tenure status and percentage of time involved with student interaction. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 11 administrators, 28 faculty and 27 staff. Faculty reported significantly more stress from participation in committees and negative interactions with college personnel compared to staff (p=0.03, p=0.02 respectively). Staff reported significantly more stress from uncertainty about job security compared to faculty (p=0.02). Females reported significantly higher levels of stress in influencing departmental decisions, resolving differences with supervisors and uncertainty about job security (p=0.03, p=0.002, p=0.04 respectively) compared to males. Inadequate salary was reported as significantly more stressful for faculty who are tenure-eligible but not tenured yet compared to staff (p=0.046). CONCLUSION: Overall, administrators, faculty and staff experienced slight to moderate stress levels. Administrators, faculty and staff shared some similarities and differences in levels and sources of stress with few significant differences. In addition, there was little difference among the groups based on the demographic identifiers explored.