Stress coping strategies among agricultural extension agents in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the coping strategies used by extension agents A total of seventy 72agricultural extension agents were randomly sampled out of 288 agricultural extension agents from the four zones (Saki, Oyo, Ogbomosho, and Ibadan) in the Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP). A questionnaire was used for data collection while the data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Out of 11 job stressors, the predominant job stressors carried out by the extension agentswere farmers field visitation with (x̄ =4.80),training of farmers ( x̄ = 4.76) and establishment of SPAT (small plot adoption techniques)( x̄ =4.59) Reading newspaper, magazine or book (x̄ =1.77) and discussing work situation with spouse or close friends (x̄ = 1.5) were the major coping strategies used in overcoming job stress while negative coping strategies such as becoming aggressive recorded low mean score of 0.34. There was strong relationship between some job stressors and coping strategies employed by workers. Employees should have control over work flow to reduce work stress and increase work efficiency.

Keywords: Extension agentswork stress, stressors and copying strategies