Occupational stress, physical work environment and psychological well-being: the experience of bank employees

Abstract

Evidence linking occupational stress and physical work environment to the psychological well-being of bank employees in Nigeria is scanty. The study examined occupational stress, physical work environment and psychological well-being. This was done with a view to assessing the relationship between occupational stress, physical work environment and psychological well-being of bank employees in the Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The study used primary data collected by means of a cross-sectional survey design. The study sample comprised 197 bank employees selected from different departments of various bank branches in the Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Their ages ranged from 21to 41 years, with a mean age of 31.53 years (SD= 6.78). Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ), Occupational Stress Scale (OSS), Physical Work Environmental Scale (PWES) and Psychological well-being Scale (PWS) were used to elicit responses from participants. The results showed a significant relationship between the occupation stress and psychological well-being of bank employees. It also showed that the physical work environment has a significant influence on the psychological well-being of bank employees. The study concluded that occupational stress and physical work environment are determinants of psychological well-being among bank employees. The study has practical implications for management as it could aid them in designing stress-reduction strategies and creating a conducive physical work environment that would enhance the well-being of bank employees in Nigeria.

Keywords: Occupational stress, Physical work-environment, Psychological well-being, Bank employees, Nigerian banking industry