Occupational Stress and Burnout: An Empirical Study of Healthcare Professionals in Ranchi District

Occupational stress and burnout are increasingly recognized as major challenges in healthcare systems, particularly in resource-constrained contexts such as India. The present study, entitled “Occupational Stress and Burnout: An Empirical Study of Healthcare Professionals in Ranchi District,” aimed to investigate levels of psychological distress, coping strategies, stigma perception, and social support among doctors, nurses, paramedical, and allied healthcare staff. A total of 155 participants were selected through random sampling from hospitals and health centers in Ranchi. Standardized instruments, including the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Occupational Stress Index (OSI), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI), were administered. Data were collected through in-person and online interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and psychological variables, while independent samples t-tests were employed to compare levels of distress and coping between groups (male vs. female and rural vs. urban). Findings revealed moderate to high levels of psychological distress across the sample, with female healthcare professionals reporting significantly greater distress than males (p < .01). Nurses demonstrated the highest levels of emotional exhaustion, while rural participants, although reporting higher stigma, perceived stronger social support than their urban counterparts. These results underscore the need for gender-sensitive stress management interventions, stigma reduction initiatives in rural areas, and systemic reforms to reduce burnout among nurses. The study carries important implications for clinical psychology practice and for strengthening TB and healthcare management programs in India.