Perceived Stress among Malaysian Railway Workers

| Posted in: Science

Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Perceived Stress among Malaysian Railway Workers
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:

This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.

Author:

Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai, Kurubaran Ganasegeran, Ramadan Elkalmi, Mohammed Alshakka, Nizar Ghanem


The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:

(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)

Full text available for: Perceived Stress among Malaysian Railway Workers

Year: 2016 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2016.23.5.5

Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Occupational stress is a pervasive issue that affects workers globally, with railway workers in Malaysia notably impacted by rigid protocols and insufficient rest. This study aimed to quantify the level of perceived stress among railway workers in Malaysia and to identify associated factors. Using a validated self-administered questionnaire, researchers targeted all employees at Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). The findings sought to contribute to understanding stress in this specific occupational group and to highlight potential areas of intervention.

Education and Occupational Stress

One significant finding from the study was the correlation between education level and perceived stress. The results indicated that railway workers with only a high school education experienced higher levels of stress compared to those with tertiary education. This disparity suggests that higher education may equip individuals with better coping skills and resources to manage workplace stress. Additionally, the study found that white-collar workers reported higher stress levels than their blue-collar counterparts. This difference emphasizes how role and responsibility within the workplace can influence stress perception and management strategies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study reinforces the importance of addressing occupational stress among railway workers through targeted educational and organizational strategies. Given that both the level of education and the type of work are significantly associated with perceived stress, implementing programs that promote stress management and coping mechanisms at the workplace could prove beneficial. This research provides essential insights into the unique challenges faced by railway workers in Malaysia and suggests pathways for enhancing their mental well-being effectively.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What was the aim of the study on railway workers in Malaysia?

The study aimed to determine the level of perceived stress and the factors associated with stress among railway workers in Malaysia due to rigid work protocols and limited rest opportunities.

What methodology was used for the railway workers' stress study?

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a postal survey with a self-administered questionnaire, including socio-demographic characteristics and the validated Malay version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), targeting 729 railway workers.

What were the significant predictors of high stress identified?

The study found that higher perceived stress was significantly associated with having only a high school education versus tertiary education and being a white-collar worker compared to a blue-collar worker.

What conclusions were drawn from the study regarding stress?

The findings concluded that education level and type of employment significantly correlated with perceived stress among railway workers, suggesting the need for occupational stress management techniques in the workplace.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Perceived Stress among Malaysian Railway Workers”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Table:
Table refers to a structured representation of data, particularly in the context of research studies. In this text, it is used to present findings related to perceived stress among railway workers in Malaysia. Tables provide clarity and facilitate comparison of numerical data and other relevant metrics, making outcomes easier to interpret.

2) Study (Studying):
The study is a systematic investigation aimed at understanding specific phenomena. In the context of this text, it pertains to the examination of stress levels among railway workers in Malaysia. The research employs various methods to analyze factors influencing stress, providing insights critical for improving occupational health and well-being.

3) Education:
Education denotes the process of acquiring knowledge and skills, which significantly influences an individual's cognitive abilities and coping mechanisms. This text highlights education's correlation with perceived stress levels among railway workers, emphasizing that those with higher educational attainment tend to experience lower stress, suggesting education as a potential stress mitigator.

4) Rampal:
Rampal refers to one of the authors involved in the research study, likely indicating their contribution to the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of findings. This illustration underscores the collaborative nature of academic research, where multiple experts contribute diverse insights leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the studied phenomena.

5) Pain:
Pain encompasses physical discomfort or distress, often related to various occupational stressors. In the context of this study, it refers to work-related ailments among railway workers, particularly musculoskeletal disorders. Understanding pain's relation to stress can aid in developing workplace interventions to alleviate both physical and psychological burdens faced by employees.

6) Indian:
Indian typically refers to something pertaining to India, including culture, people, or studies. Here, it may relate to comparisons with stress studies conducted among Indian railway workers. Cross-cultural examination helps uncover universal and unique factors affecting stress levels, aiding in tailoring interventions suitable for specific populations.

7) Depression:
Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent sadness and lack of interest. The study acknowledges its prevalence among workers in stressful occupations like railway, emphasizing the mental health crisis resulting from occupational stress. Identifying these connections is crucial for developing effective support systems and mental health interventions.

8) Rules:
Rules represent guidelines or protocols that govern behavior within a specific context. In this text, they likely refer to workplace regulations impacting railway workers' responsibilities and operational procedures, which can contribute to stress. Understanding how rigid rules affect psychological health is essential for promoting a more supportive work environment.

9) Life:
Life encompasses the experiences, challenges, and circumstances individuals face, significantly impacting their mental health. This context reflects how workplace stressors can permeate personal life, underscoring the importance of mental well-being in fostering a healthy work-life balance, especially under demanding environments like those experienced by railway workers.

10) Reliability:
Reliability pertains to the consistency and dependability of a measurement tool. In the study, it specifically refers to the reliability of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) that assesses stress levels. Establishing reliability is critical to ensure that findings accurately reflect the stress levels faced by the subjects being studied.

11) Perception:
Perception is the process by which individuals interpret and make sense of sensory information, including stressors in their environment. This study centers on how railway workers perceive stress, which shapes their mental health outcomes. Acknowledging how perception influences stress levels aids in devising targeted interventions for affected populations.

12) Nature:
Nature refers to the intrinsic qualities or characteristics of something. In this text, it likely relates to the inherent aspects of railway workers' jobs contributing to stress, such as rigid work protocols and physical demands. Recognizing the nature of job-related stressors is essential in developing effective management strategies.

13) Jalam:
Jaalam is another author of the study, playing a critical role in the research process. Their involvement indicates collaborative efforts among researchers to analyze stress among railway workers. Collaboration enhances research rigor through shared knowledge, allowing for a multifaceted exploration of the issues at hand.

14) Kumar:
Kumar represents one of the researchers involved in the study, highlighting the collaborative aspect of the research process. The inclusion of researchers from diverse backgrounds enriches the quality of research, allowing for a comprehensive investigation into the various factors associated with stress among railway workers.

15) Barua:
Barua indicates a contributing author to the study, reinforcing the collaborative nature of academic research. Such collaboration among professionals enhances the quality of findings, ensuring that different perspectives are considered in the analysis of stress factors affecting railway workers in Malaysia.

16) Death:
Death signifies the cessation of life and can be an indirect consequence of unaddressed occupational stress. The text may refer to the connection between occupational hazards and potential mortality risks. Understanding these associations is vital for implementing preventive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of workers.

17) Male:
Male denotes gender and is relevant when discussing stress levels, as studies often identify differences in stress experiences between genders. This text emphasizes the gender composition of the study population, which is crucial for understanding how different gender-related factors may influence perceptions of stress among railway workers.

18) Chan:
Chan is another author contributing to the study, indicating the collaborative effort in researching occupational stress. The presence of multiple authors can enhance the study's credibility as various expertise contribute to a deeper understanding of the stressors affecting railway workers, leading to well-rounded findings.

19) Mental disorder:
Mental disorder refers to a range of psychological conditions affecting mood, thinking, and behavior. In this study, it underscores how stress among railway workers correlates with increased susceptibility to mental disorders. Addressing these concerns is crucial for creating supportive work environments that promote mental health and well-being.

20) Mental health:
Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how individuals cope with stress. The text highlights the challenges railway workers face related to stress, emphasizing the need for effective mental health strategies within occupational settings. Implementing mental health support can enhance overall employee well-being and productivity.

21) Discussion:
Discussion is typically a section in research where findings are interpreted and contextualized within existing literature. Here, it serves to link the study results with previous work on stress, offering insights into the implications for occupational health. This section informs potential strategies for addressing stress in similar professional environments.

22) Irritation:
Irritation refers to feelings of discomfort or annoyance often elicited by stressful situations. In the context of this text, it may relate to how stress manifests in railway workers. Understanding triggers of irritation is critical for developing interventions aimed at reducing stress and enhancing overall job satisfaction and mental well-being.

23) Ramaswamy (Ramaswami):
Ramaswamy is an author connected to this research study, symbolizing collaborative research efforts. The combined expertise from multiple authors helps ensure rigorous analysis and richer interpretation of findings related to stress levels among railway workers, which could lead to more effective interventions in occupational health.

24) Knowledge:
Knowledge refers to the understanding and awareness an individual possesses about specific subjects. In the context of this text, it relates to railway workers' comprehension of stress and its implications. Promoting knowledge about stress factors can empower workers to seek help and employ stress management strategies.

25) Training:
Training denotes the process of equipping individuals with specific skills or knowledge, crucial in an occupational context. The text suggests that training on stress management techniques could benefit railway workers, enhancing their coping abilities and overall well-being in a demanding work environment.

26) Anxiety:
Anxiety is a common mental health issue characterized by excessive worry and unease. The study highlights its prevalence among workers experiencing stress. Acknowledging anxiety as a consequence of occupational stress helps identify the need for targeted interventions to alleviate these mental health burdens within the workplace.

27) Police:
Police pertains to law enforcement, and while not directly related to railway workers, it may signify the need for research on occupational stress across different professions. Understanding stress dynamics within varied occupations can help develop widespread strategies for better mental health support across sectors.

28) Labour (Labor):
Labour pertains to work and can refer to the workforce involved in various sectors. In this context, it emphasizes the aspect of labor rights and protections, particularly for railway workers, underscoring the importance of maintaining mental health standards in physically demanding occupations requiring regulation and support.

29) Anger (Angry):
Anger is an emotional response often linked to stress and frustration. In the context of this study, it highlights possible emotional outcomes of workplace stressors among railway workers. Understanding anger triggers can aid in developing comprehensive workplace strategies aimed at reducing stress and improving emotional regulation.

30) Noise:
Noise denotes unwanted or disruptive sound, frequently an occupational hazard in environments like railways. It can contribute to stress and negatively impact mental health. Understanding the role of noise as a stressor highlights the need for noise management strategies within the workplace to foster healthier working conditions.

31) Beta:
Beta refers to a statistical coefficient in regression analysis representing the relationship between independent and dependent variables. In the study, it indicates the strength of predictors related to perceived stress among railway workers. Understanding these coefficients aids in interpreting how various factors contribute to stress levels.

32) Food:
Food signifies nutritional intake, which can influence mental health and overall well-being. Although this text does not elaborate on food, understanding its impact on stress and health is important. Poor dietary habits may exacerbate stress, indicating that nutrition is a critical component of effective stress management.

33) Post:
Post indicates a method of delivery or communication, in this case, the postal survey used to gather data from railway workers. This method underscores the importance of accessible and convenient research approaches for collecting data from diverse populations to ensure wide-ranging input and representative findings.

34) Pur:
Poor signifies deficiency or unsatisfactory conditions, often related to mental health outcomes in stressful occupations. In this study, it may refer to inadequate workplace conditions contributing to heightened stress levels among railway workers. Recognizing these poor conditions is essential in formulating improvement strategies for occupational health.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Perceived Stress among Malaysian Railway Workers’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Mental health, Statistical analysis, Psychological stress, Cross-sectional study, Perceived Stress Scale, Response rate, Perceived stress, Job satisfaction, Musculoskeletal disorder, Occupational Stress, Work related stress, PSS score, High school education, Job absenteeism, Socio-demographic characteristic.

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