Original Article
Multidimensional Occupational Stress Among College Teachers of Manipur (Northeast India): A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic and Organisational Predictors
INTRODUCTION
Occupational stress is gradually
emerging as a global issue throughout different sectors of the workforce,
especially in knowledge-intensive workplaces, for instance, in the education
sector. This type of stress is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon arising
from an individual's interaction with their work environment Lazarus
and Folkman (1984), Leszczyńska and Peplińska (2023), Jacobs (2024). The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) defines occupational stress as the harmful physical and
emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match
the capabilities, resources, and needs of the worker Murphy
et al. (1999). Stress is considered a psychological and physiological
response to internal or external stressors, which can appear as either positive
or negative responses Ismail
et al. (2010), Shinde
(2014). The characteristic features of stress are physical, mental,
and physiological responses to work-related stressors, which can lead to
serious health and performance issues for employees.
Causes
of Occupational Stress
1)
Work Environment and Conditions
Stress arises from working settings and conditions. Undue
workloads, work pressure, limited opportunities to advance professionally, and
toxic relationships with associates are the main workplace challenges employees
face. These external and internal issues can cause employees to feel anxious
and concerned about their service, potentially leading to serious mental and
physical health crises (Narban et al., 2016; Singh & Verma, 2019).
2)
Communication and Cultural Barriers
Immigrant employees
often encounter occupational stress. They face communication barriers,
experience feelings of hostility and social discrimination, and struggle with
work-life balance in a new setting, all of which lead to detrimental
psychological impacts on them (Serafica et al., 2023).
3) Mismatch of Job Demands and Worker
Capabilities
Sometimes stress
arises from a mismatch between an employee's aptitudes, resources, and needs
and job demands. This issue can increase pressure among the employees, leading
to physiological, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive changes in individuals
(Tsimakuridze et al., 2022; Kejriwal, 2024).
Impacts
of Occupational Stress
1)
Health and Well-being
Continuous exposure to work-related stress can lead to a
syndrome – Burnout, which exhausts the physical, mental and emotional health of
an individual. Burnout, in general, is linked to depression and anxiety in an
individual Jacobs (2024), Nurmukhamedova & Madjidova,
2011).
2) Organisational Performance
Increased
organisational stress can greatly affect employee well-being and performance.
High stress can also hinder the completion of tasks and the strategic
objectives. This can lead to decreased morale, low performance, absenteeism,
and elevated employee turnover, all of which are determinants of organisational
success (Tsimakuridze et al., 2022).
Management and Mitigation Strategies
1) Stress Management and Mitigation
Interventions
The introduction of
effective stress management strategies is essential to boost employees'
well-being and organisational efficiency. Some selected strategies could
include establishing a support system, strengthening communication, and
cultivating a good work environment (Akanji, 2013).
2) Cultural and Individual Considerations
Developing culturally
appropriate therapies and accounting for individual differences are crucial for
effectively managing occupational stress, for instance, across different
workplace environments (Serafica et al., 2023; Bezrukavnikova, 2023).
3) Measurement and Evaluation
Accurate measurement
and evaluation of stress levels are crucial for implementing operative
management strategies. Nevertheless, current stress measurement scales and
indices are underdeveloped and require further study (Kejriwal, 2024).
Occupational Stress in Academia
In academic
institutions, rapid changes in structures, heightened accountability measures,
performance-driven evaluation systems, and administrative expansion
significantly shape the nature of faculty work Winefield
et al. (2003), Tytherleigh
et al. (2005). These developments have increased
occupational pressures, rendering stress among university and college staff an
increasingly significant empirical research topic.
Many empirical studies
consistently reveal that academics experience significant work-related stress.
Early 21st-century research from Australia and the UK has indicated an increase
in psychological distress among academicians in institutions Winefield
et al. (2003), Kinman
(2001). Likewise, Gillespie
et al. (2001) noted that time constraints, inadequate resources, and insufficient
support are significant factors in stress outcomes among university staff. Watts
and Robertson (2011) further confirmed, in their systematic
review, that burnout is increasingly prevalent among higher education
professionals, both in managerialist and publish-or-perish environments.
Beyond workload
pressures, relational and structural factors greatly impact occupational
stress. Key predictors of academic strain include interpersonal conflict, a
lack of transparency from administration, and perceived organisational
injustice Barkhuizen
and Rothmann (2008), Tytherleigh
et al. (2005). Social support consistently serves as a
protective factor that mitigates the negative impact of job demands Halbesleben
(2006). Conversely, strained collegial
relationships may intensify perceived stress even in relatively stable work
environments.
A cross-national
study shows that the prevalence of academic stress varies across different
institutional and governance frameworks Shin and Jung (2014). Higher education systems in developing
countries experience greater stress than those in highly competitive,
research-driven universities. And the main factors are job security, cultural
norms, and social support networks. While international data are growing,
information about less-studied or peripheral academic settings is still
limited.
In the Indian
higher education sector, reforms in accreditation, ranking, and research
metrics have raised professional expectations. While metropolitan institutions
attract more scholarly attention, there is a lack of empirical research on
occupational stress in remote areas of the country, for instance, the Northeast
India. This gap is notable because the unique institutional culture,
governance, and socio-cultural support systems in these areas could produce
distinct stress patterns.
Furthermore,
occupational stress is a complex, multifaceted concept with both theoretical
and empirical dimensions. The extant literature increasingly underscores the
importance of exploring stressors related to domain-specific components. Those
stressors include work-related stressors, role expectations, career concerns,
interpersonal relations, and organisational environment, to attain a more
granular, analytically robust understanding of employees' well-being Gillespie
et al. (2001), Barkhuizen
and Rothmann (2008). In contrast to the reliance on aggregate or
unidirectional stress indicators, a multidimensional method helps delineate
distinct stress configurations and latent clusters, providing
context-sensitive, empirically grounded, and strategically targeted institutional
actions.
Against the above
background, the current study seeks to systematically evaluate the
multidimensional occupational stress experienced by college professors in the
Imphal region (Manipur) via a well-structured quantitative approach.
Specifically, we also focus on analysing the key domains of stress,
incorporating work-related, interpersonal, developmental, and organisational
factors, while accounting for relevant demographic variations to find
differential patterns.
Objectives of the Study
The objectives of our study are:
1)
To
evaluate the levels of occupational stress experienced by the college teachers
in the Imphal area (Manipur).
2)
To
identify the relative prominence of different stress dimensions and determine
which domains represent higher stress concentration among faculty members.
3)
To
analyse disparities in stress levels across Professors of different career
stages.
4)
To give
empirical evidence that may bolster institutional decision-making, faculty
well-being initiatives, and stress management measures inside higher education
institutions.
Methodology
Research Design
Our current study adopted a
cross-sectional, quantitative research design to systematically examine the
multifaceted nature of occupational stress experienced by college teachers.
This methodological approach is chosen because it captures variations in stress
levels and demographic details at a specific point in time, thereby offering a
clear picture of contemporaneous assessment of prevailing occupational stress
patterns in the academic milieu.
Study Setting and Population
In this study, we chose 26
colleges, all situated in the Imphal Valley. The participants were exclusively
full-time faculty members (professors). There were no restrictions based on
academic discipline, rank, or gender.
Sample Size and Sampling Technique
A total sample size of 400
college teachers was chosen to ensure sufficient representation and statistical
validity for the descriptive analysis. To collect the data, a simple random
sampling technique was utilised to reduce selection bias and enhance external
validity. Lists of eligible participants were drawn from institutional
registers, and participants were randomly selected to ensure equal chances of
inclusion.
Data Collection Instrument
Data were collected via a
standardised, self-administered questionnaire. Occupational stress was measured
using the Employment Organisation Sources of Stressors (EOSS) Scale, developed
by Telaprolu and George (2005), a validated tool designed to evaluate various
aspects of occupational stress. The EOSS scale enables a thorough assessment
across multiple analytically distinct but interconnected domains. These domains
are stress-related to their work, roles, personal and professional development,
interpersonal and organisational climate. This framework provides a
comprehensive framework for evaluating occupational stress profiles across
multiple dimensions.
Data Analysis
The collected data
via questionnaires were systematically coded and subsequently inserted into
Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis. Frequency distributions and
percentage analyses were two types of descriptive analysis computed using the
same software. The EOSS grading system is put under four categories: very low,
low, moderate, or high.
Results and Discussion
Demographic Profile of Respondents
1)
Age
Distribution
The age profile of sampled
college professors indicates a mostly mature academic cohort. The largest
proportion of the sampled population is aged 51 years and over (36.5%),
followed closely by those aged between 41-50 years (34.5%). There are 94
participants aged 31-40 years, accounting for 23.5%, and the smallest cohort is
only 5.5% (n = 22), who were 30 or younger Table 1.
The observed age distribution
indicates that the sample is predominantly comprised of mid- to late-career
staff. Relatively young early-career academics (<30 years) may have
significant implications for understanding stress-perception patterns that often
evolve across career stages. Such variation results from factors like
employment security, administrative duties, and institutional responsibilities.
|
Table 1 |
|
Table 1 Age of the
Respondents |
||
|
Age |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Less than 30 years |
22 |
5.5 |
|
31-40 years |
94 |
23.5 |
|
41-50 years |
138 |
34.5 |
|
51 years and above |
146 |
36.5 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
2)
Gender
Composition
The population under study
consists of 61% (n=244) females and 39% (n=156) males, indicating. A relatively
higher representation of women in the studied population may have analytical
significance for interpreting stress-related outcomes, especially in fields of
interpersonal stress and organisational climate Table 2.
|
Table 2 |
|
Table 2 Gender of the
Respondents |
||
|
Gender |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Male |
156 |
39.0 |
|
Female |
244 |
61.0 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
3)
Marital
Status
Our study indicates that most
college professors are married (78.5%). Only 21.5% of the studied population is
unmarried. This biased married-dominant data may bias the results, as marital
status can affect the professional life and elevate work-related stress because
of family responsibilities Table 3.
Table
3
|
Table 3 Marital Status of the Respondents |
||
|
Status |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Married |
314 |
78.5 |
|
Unmarried |
86 |
21.5 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
4)
Family
Structure
Table 4 below reveals that 58% of the studied sample
belong to the nuclear category and 42% to the joint category. This composition
of family structure is a salient feature in stress research. For instance,
shared responsibilities and emotional support are usually found in joint
families, but not in nuclear families.
|
Table 4 |
|
Table 4 Family Size of the
Respondents |
||
|
Family |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
int |
168 |
42.0 |
|
Nuclear |
232 |
58.0 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
5)
Educational
Qualification
Regarding educational
qualifications, the study population was highly educated, with 61.5% holding a
PhD and 38.5% (n = 154) being postgraduates, which is the minimum criteria for
colleges in Manipur settings Table 5. High prevalence of PhD holders (doctorate)
indicates a highly qualified academic demographic. This distinction is
analytically important because research obligations, publication requirements,
and administrative tasks typically increase with more advanced academic
degrees.
|
Table 5 |
|
Table 5 Educational
Qualification of the Respondents |
||
|
Qualification |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Post Graduate |
154 |
38.5 |
|
PhD |
246 |
61.5 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
6)
Designation
The distribution of academic
positions indicates that Assistant Professors (95%, n = 380) predominate, with
only 2.5% as Associate Professors and 2.5% (n = 10) as Guest Faculty Table 6. A relatively high prevalence of Assistant
Professors might lead to a higher percentage of stress findings, mainly
reflecting experiences from entry to mid-level academic ranks. Therefore,
occupational stress can be greatly affected by intense pressure to achieve
promotions, expectations to publish research, and requirements for performance
assessments.
|
Table 6 |
|
Table 6 Designation of the
Respondents |
||
|
Designation |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Assistant Professor |
380 |
95.0 |
|
Associate Professor |
10 |
2.5 |
|
Guest Faculty |
10 |
2.5 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
7)
Monthly
Income
The income distribution in Table 7 shows that 58% are assistant professors and
college professors earning less than ₹1 lakh per month, 8.5% are
associate professors earning between ₹1-1.5 lakh, and only 3.5% are
professors earning between ₹1.5-2 lakh. Lower income levels may affect
how secure they feel about their financial situation, which, in turn, may
increase overall stress among assistant professors.
|
Table 7 |
|
Table 7 Monthly Income of
the Respondents |
|||
|
Income |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
|
Less than 1 lakh |
232 |
58.0 |
|
|
1-1.5 lakh |
154 |
38.5 |
|
|
1.5-2 lakh |
14 |
3.5 |
|
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
|
Stress Dimensions: Descriptive Analysis
From Tables
numbers 8 to 13 represent the descriptive statistics of stress, which include
their job stress, role stress, personal development stress, interpersonal
relationship stress, work environment stress, and total (overall) stress of the
studied sample.
|
Table 8 |
|
Table 8 Work Stress Level of
the Respondents |
||
|
Level |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Very Low Stress |
18 |
4.5 |
|
Low Stress |
322 |
80.5 |
|
Moderate Stress |
60 |
15.0 |
|
High Stress |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
8)
Work
Stress
According to the
report, the largest group in the sample has low work stress (80.5%), while
15.0% experience moderate work stress and 4.5% experience very low work stress.
Notably, no case of high work stress is reported Table 8. This
result suggests that the workloads given to college professors are quite
manageable. Lack of high stress levels clearly indicates that their
institutions are stable; otherwise, the faculty would have used effective
coping strategies.
|
Table 9 |
|
Table 9 Role Stress Level of
the Respondents |
||
|
Level |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Very Low Stress |
40 |
10.0 |
|
Low Stress |
270 |
67.5 |
|
Moderate Stress |
90 |
22.5 |
|
High Stress |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
9)
Role
Stress
Low role stress
was reported by 67.5% of respondents. 22.5% reported moderate stress, and 10.0%
reported very low stress. None reported high role stress Table 9. Role stress reflects ambiguity, overload, or
conflict between professional responsibilities. Although high stress is absent,
the relatively higher proportion of moderate stress (22.5%) compared to work
stress suggests that role clarity and administrative responsibilities may
present occasional strain.
|
Table 10 |
|
Table 10 Personal Development
Stress Level of the Respondents |
||
|
Level |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Very Low Stress |
20 |
5.0 |
|
Low Stress |
338 |
84.5 |
|
Moderate Stress |
42 |
10.5 |
|
High Stress |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
10)
Personal
Development Stress
The majority of
respondents (84.5%, n
= 338) reported low personal development stress. Moderate stress was reported
by 10.5% (n = 42), and 5.0% (n = 20) reported very low stress. No
respondents indicated high stress in this domain Table 10.
This indicates that respondents
generally do not perceive significant stress related to career growth, skill
development, or promotion opportunities. Institutional support mechanisms may
be effective in this domain.
|
Table 11 |
|
Table 11 Interpersonal
Relationship Stress Level of the Respondents |
||
|
Level |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Very Low Stress |
58 |
14.5 |
|
Low Stress |
194 |
48.5 |
|
Moderate Stress |
146 |
36.5 |
|
High Stress |
2 |
0.5 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
11)
Interpersonal
Relationship Stress
Regarding
interpersonal stress levels, 48.5% (n = 194) experience low stress, 36.5% (n =
146) experience moderate stress, 14.5% (n = 58) experience very low stress, and
0.5% (n = 2) experience high stress Table 11. This is the only dimension that shows high
stress, even at a minimal level, compared to the other dimension. Therefore, it
suggests that interpersonal dynamics (colleague relations, communication
issues, or departmental politics) may be a more sensitive stress trigger.
|
Table 12 |
|
Table 12 Organisational Climate Stress Level of the
Respondents |
||
|
Level |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Very Low Stress |
40 |
10.0 |
|
Low Stress |
202 |
50.5 |
|
Moderate Stress |
158 |
39.5 |
|
High Stress |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
12)
Organisational
Climate Stress
Half of the
college teachers (50.5%, n = 202) reported experiencing low organisational
climate stress, 39.5% (n = 158) moderate stress, and 10.0% (n = 40) very low
stress. No high stress is found in this category Table 12. The
relatively high moderate stress level suggests that institutional policies,
leadership style, governance, or bureaucratic procedures might moderately
affect how stress is perceived.
|
Table 13 |
|
Table 13 Total Stress Level
of the Respondents |
||
|
Level |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Very Low Stress |
18 |
4.5 |
|
Low Stress |
272 |
68.0 |
|
Moderate Stress |
110 |
27.5 |
|
High Stress |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
400 |
100.0 |
13)
Total
Stress Level
Regarding overall
stress, 68.0% (n = 272) reported low stress, 27.5% (n = 110) moderate stress,
and 4.5% (n = 18) very low stress. No instances of high total stress are
observed in this category Table 13. This indicates that, although stress is
present, it generally stays at manageable levels throughout the sample.
The descriptive
statistics indicate that most college teachers have low stress levels across
all measured dimensions. Moderate stress is more frequently observed in
interpersonal relationships (36.5%) and the organisational climate (39.5%) than
in other dimensions. High stress levels are rare, with only 0.5% reporting in
one dimension (i.e., interpersonal stress level).
Discussion
Our study explored various facets
of occupational stress among the academic population in Manipur Valley.
Overall, occupational stress levels are low, but moderate stress is somewhat
high, associated with interpersonal relationships and the organisational
climate. Our findings add regional-specific (northeastern India) data to the
global occupational stress literature and provide a theoretical understanding
of well-known stress paradigms.
Overall Occupational Stress: A Contextual Contrast
The current results are
contrasted with many global publications, which show that 68% of the studied
population reports low overall stress, with no indication of high stress
levels. In general, occupational stress is highly prevalent in academia. One
good example is an Australian study by Winefield
et al. (2003) that focuses on organisational change and
workload. Similar high-level stresses are found in the United Kingdom's
academic sector due to managerialism and performance pressure Kinman
(2001), Tytherleigh
et al. (2005). A recent study found a strong association between
workload demands and burnout among academics Sabagh
et al. (2018).
Possible reasons for the low
stress levels observed in our results include varying management systems,
stable employment, and sociocultural support structures. On the basis of the
Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model developed by Bakker
and Demerouti (2007), overall stress outcomes result from the dynamic
balance between employment demands and available resources. Considering the
current environment, it is reasonable to assume that the academic positions
provide relatively stable employment with manageable teaching loads and
research obligations, effectively balancing work demands with academic
resources.
Work and Role Stress: Demand-Role Equilibrium
Our results indicate low levels
of work-related stress. This is quite notable, given extensive evidence that
identifies workload and role conflict as central stressors in academia. Gillespie
et al. (2001) found that role overload and insufficient
recognition significantly predicted distress among university staff. Taris et
al. (2001) similarly demonstrated that role conflict and
ambiguity were associated with psychological withdrawal behaviours.
Individual role stress, including
excessive work, uncertainty, and conflict, has been associated with burnout Maslach
et al. (2001). Moderate role stress was observed in our study,
with 22.5% of respondents affecting evaluation pressures due to a high number
of Assistant Professors (95%). Some studies indicate that early- to mid-career
professors often face promotional stress Shin and Jung (2014), Sabagh
et al. (2018).
However, the widespread
occurrence of low stress suggests that the quantitative demands of employment,
like teaching hours, might not be too high. According to the JD-R framework,
when resources are available, employment demands are no longer a stressor Bakker
and Demerouti (2007). This may be because of the manageable stress
advancement of the academic accountability system.
Personal Development Stress: Career Stability as a
Protective Factor
The personal development stress
domain is the lowest among the others and differs from what is observed in high
research-intensive settings, where individuals under publication pressure
experience distress Guthrie
et al. (2017). In their review paper, Watts
and Robertson (2011) found that the two factors - performance
evaluation systems and publication expectations - are major contributors to
academic burnout.
The low stress observed in our
study is due to the well-defined career progression system, which reduces
confusion. Clear, transparent promotion pathways have been linked to greater
employment satisfaction and reduced occupational stress Shin and Jung (2014). Also, having a large number of doctoral-level
faculty can improve professional competence and self-efficacy Xanthopoulou et al. (2007).
According to Hobfoll
(1989) Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, possessing
stable qualifications and well-defined career paths can lessen stress and the
sense of threat.
Interpersonal Relationship Stress: A Relational
Vulnerability
Interpersonal stress levels were
quite high, with 36.5% of moderate stress and 0.5% of high stress. This
supports data suggesting that social relationships are a crucial factor
influencing academic well-being. Barkhuizen
and Rothmann (2008) stressed that poor relationships with colleagues
are a key predictor of burnout in academic settings. Similarly, Gillespie
et al. (2001) also found that inadequate support and
interpersonal conflict are closely linked to distress.
Social support from co-workers
has reliably reduced stress Halbesleben
(2006). Under the COR theory developed by Hobfoll
(1989), poor relationships lead to a loss of support,
which heightens stress even when the workload is high. Studied population: 61%
female-dominant, which may further influence interpersonal dynamics, as seen in
a report of meta-analytic evidence that suggests burnout can differ in genders Purvanova
and Muros (2010). Therefore, structural demands appear manageable,
yet relational stressors may increasingly threaten in academia.
Organisational Climate: Structural Stress and
Governance
This domain has the largest share
of moderate stress (39.5%.) Organisational justice and transparency in
management strongly impact the stress outcomes. Tytherleigh
et al. (2005) found that management approaches and clear
communication in academia significantly influenced staff stress levels.
Likewise, Winefield
et al. (2003) found that frequent organisational changes and
perceived unfairness elevate stress responses.
According to the JD-R model,
organisational environment can act as either a supportive resource or an
additional source of stress Bakker
and Demerouti (2007). When management appears bureaucratic or
ambiguous, it can become a source of stress. In contrast, participatory
leadership increases engagement and reduces stress Hakanen
et al. (2006).
Our findings also indicate that
institutional structure, which pertains to how the institution operates, and
cultural dimensions might contribute more to increasing stress than direct
workload. Implementing timely interventions in the targeted organisations, with
an emphasis on clear communication and participatory decision-making, could
help reduce the clustering of moderate stress in this domain.
Demographic Moderators and Social Buffering
Within the studied population,
having many mature-age staff and being married might serve as protective
factors against higher stress levels. A scientific study found that social
support systems, like family networks, play a role in reducing burnout Halbesleben
(2006). Furthermore, aged employees frequently report
improved emotional regulation and stronger coping skills Gillespie
et al. (2001). However, differences in stress across generations
are not well understood and require more research, such as longitudinal studies
through different career stages.
Concluding remarks
Our study advances the
understanding of occupational stress among college teachers in higher education
by presenting empirical data on demographic and organisational factors from a
less-represented academic region of Northeast India. By adopting a multidimensional
framework, this study offers a detailed understanding of how different
organisational and interpersonal factors affect stress levels among college
teachers in Imphal (Manipur). Our results indicate that overall stress is low;
however, variations in certain types of stress reveal underlying structural and
relational dynamics within academic institutions that merit critical
examination.
One significant contribution of
this study is identifying organisational atmosphere and interpersonal
relationships as the main factors behind moderate stress in academic
environments. This sequence suggests that governance structures, modes of
communication, and the quality of collegial interactions may exert a greater
influence on faculty stress than factors related to workload or professional
development constraints. These findings are parallel with contemporary
theoretical perspectives, notably the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, which
emphasises the critical role of organisational resources such as supportive
management, transparent decision-making, and cooperative professional cultures
in mitigating occupational stress.
Low levels of
stress related to workload and personal growth were seen in our study. This
could be because the professors had stable employment, manageable
responsibilities, and well-defined career progression opportunities within the
institution analysed. Concurrently, the presence of moderate stress in social
and organisational areas underlines the necessity to improve institutional
frameworks that promote trust, inclusive decision-making, and strengthen
constructive collegial connections. Addressing these areas is critical to
improving employees' well-being and to guaranteeing continued institutional
success, academic engagement, and resilience in the higher education sector.
Importantly, our
study helps fill a significant gap in research on occupational stress in
academic work by giving context-specific evidence from Northeast India, a
region that hasn’t gotten much attention. Our findings also advance
understanding of how socio-cultural, organisational, and institutional settings
influence academic work situations by integrating the results into broader
theoretical models and global literatures.
Notwithstanding
its valuable contributions, our study has several limitations. The
cross-sectional design of this study restricts the ability to determine
causality, and dependence on self-reported data may lead to response bias.
Furthermore, the high prevalence of Assistant Professors in the studied
population may constrain the generalisability of our findings across all
academic positions. Future studies should consider a longitudinal design,
comparisons between multiple institutions, and a mixed-methods approach
(integration of both qualitative and quantitative) to better understand faculty
experiences related to organisational culture and professional relationships.
In conclusion, our
current research underlines that occupational stress in academia is influenced
more by relational and organisational factors than by the severity of workload
per se. Improving institutional openness, cultivating supportive collegial relationships,
and encouraging participatory administrative practices are essential strategies
for improving faculty well-being and maintaining healthy academic work
environments. Our study, by emphasising structural and interpersonal aspects,
will provide significant implications for higher education guidelines,
institutional governance, and faculty development initiatives in nascent
academic systems.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The first author
sincerely thanks all participants who took part in the study without
hesitation. Additionally, gratitude is extended to my co-authors for their
valuable contributions in writing, editing, and developing this manuscript.
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