Stressors' Impacts on Mental Wellbeing and Service Delivery Performance of University Academics: A South African Case Study

Abstract: This paper investigated the level of academic activities, stressing and impacting mental wellbeing and service delivery performance of university academics. While it acknowledged that stress among academics is a global challenge, it researched a case study of two universities in Pretoria, South Africa. The quantitative study gathered data from 79 participants and confirmed mental stress in the academic environment. The results revealed six specific stressors, their impacts, effects and rankings. Analysis with Excel showed a stress ranking from 1st to 6th. Likewise, the Python linear regression analysis revealed that for every increase in the portfolio of academics, the stress level and ranking increased by 10.65%. Further, having the regression interception line at 73.3%, revealed that among the stressors (teaching, thesis supervision, technostress, administrative functions, research and remuneration), even if other stressors are addressed using the stress management theories and strategies suggested in this paper, remuneration will still constitute a major threat to the mental wellbeing and service delivery performance of academics, except there is a radical and strategic upward review of remuneration. Overall, this article reminded the academic community of the occupational risks and challenges affecting their wellbeing and service delivery while providing recommendations to manage the situation. Keywords: Mental Stress, Stressors, Remuneration, Stress Management Theories, Stress Managers, Service Delivery Performance