Work Stress Adaptation: Roles of Gender, Social Support and Personality

Abstract

Workers in Nigeria are faced with many stress factors such as work-related, domestic, after job, age or retirement problem to cope with or managed. In view of this, the present study examined the effects of gender, social support and personality (Type A and Type B) on work stress adaptation. Using random and accidental sampling techniques, a total of 210 civil servants (78 males and 132 females) from 10 Government Ministries in Akure, Ondo State were sampled. Participants completed measures of Type A behavior scale, Perceived social support scale and Job stress scale. One hypothesis was formulated and tested using 2×2×2 ANOVA analysis. The results revealed that gender (F (1,202) = 9.938, p < 0.05), social support (F(1,202)=20.263, p<0.01) and personality (F (1,202) = 12.630, p < 0.01) had significant effects on work stress adaptation. However, there were no significant interaction effects of gender, social support and personality on work stress adaptation. The findings suggested that males, type A persons and civil servants with high social support were found to exhibit a higher level of work stress adaptation. The implications of the findings were discussed and appropriate recommendations were made.

Key Words: Type A/B personality, social support, work stress adaptation, civil servants/workers, personality.