Occupational stress among factory workers in Hong Kong and China : a comparison study

The purpose of the study was to investigate occupational stress among Hong Kong factory workers (N=138) using the shortened version of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI)-2, to compare it with a sample of factory workers (N=342) in China. The results showed that the reliabilities and predictive validity of the OSI-2 subscales and other subscales used for the study were reasonably high. Workers in China scored significantly higher in the means of job satisfaction, mental and physical well-being, satisfaction on environmental condition, and perceived work pressure than Hong Kong workers. The main sources of stress and the coping strategies that were most frequently used to tackle stress were different in the two groups. In addition, the predictors for job strain were various and many in the two groups. The logical relationships between job satisfaction, mental well-being and physical well-being that were found in the two groups have provided support to the findings obtained in Western countries. Further, coping had no direct or moderating effect on the stressor-strain relationships in either of the two groups

A study of occupational stress, job satisfaction, and quitting intention in Hong Kong firms : the role of locus of control and organizational commitment

The author investigated the direct and moderating effects of locus of control and organizational commitment on the relationship of stress with psychological distress, job satisfaction, and quitting intention of 102 employees (66 males, 54 females, 2 unc1assified) working in Hong Kong firms. The instruments inc1uded parts of Occupational Stress Indicator-2, Work Locus of Control, and the 9-item Organizational Commitment Questionnaire. A series of validation procedures were conducted, and the author conc1uded that the instruments used were valid to be used on Chinese employees in Hong Kong. The results of the study suggested that the locus of control and organizational commitment had strong direct effects (externals were dissatisfied with the job itself, and thought of quitting the job quite often; employees who had a high commitment had higher job satisfaction) and moderating effects (the stressor-strain relationships were significant in externals, and commitment buffered most of the stressor-strain relationships)

Stress at work, coping, and workers\u27 health of an acquired firm in Hong Kong

The structure of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI) was adopted as the model to investigate the impact of acquisition stress on workers\u27 health effects. Data were obtained from 101 employees of an acquired firm in Hong Kong. Workers\u27 perceived work pressure was negatively related to job satisfaction, and positively related to mental ill-health, and physical ill-health. Hierarchical moderated regression analyses were employed to study the stressor-strain relationship, and the extent coping strategies moderate this relationship. The results showed that a combination of stressors related significantly to the strain effects, but only a few individual stressors were strong predictors. Coping strategies had direct effect on the strain variables; and also moderating effect on the stressor-strain relationship. Further analyses revealed that only a few individual coping skills were particularly useful in buffering some of the stressor-strain relationship. The results of the study provide some validation data of the OSI in a Chinese sample

Occupational stress among school teachers : a review of research findings relevant to policy formation

The author reviews the different conceptualizations of teacher stress and burnout, and agrees that the interactional approach proposed by Dunham (1992) is more constructive. The author goes on to review the research literarure on prevalence, sources, and effects of occupational stress among school teachers in other countries and in Hong Kong. Research findings on the coping strategies that teachers use to tackle stress are also reviewed. The author identifies policy changes that can potentially reduce levels of stress among Hong Kong teachers. Specifically, unresolved issues relating to teacher stress in the light of the reports of the Education Commission are discussed. They include: medium of instruction, common-core curriculum, allocation of Form 1 places, and behavioural problems in classrooms. Based on a qualitative costs and benefits analysis, the author concludes the paper by proposing the expansion of educational psychology services in Hong Kong as a targeted alternative for reducing teacher stress