Occupational stress and strain of support staff at a higher education institution in the North West Province

The aim of this study was to determine the occupational stressors and strains for support staff at a higher education institution in the North West Province, and to assess the differences between the stressors and strains of different biographical groups. A cross-sectional survey design (N = 315) was used. The ASSET and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The results of the study show that, compared to international norms, support staff demonstrate significantly higher levels of psychological and physical ill-health, commitment from the organisation, as well as commitment from the individual. Analysis of variance showed in-group differences in terms of occupational stress and strain for language groups, gender and years of experience. South African Journal of Higher Education Vol. 20(1) 2006: 87-10