OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AMONG EXTENSION RESEARCHERS AT REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATIONS IN EGYPT

This study investigates the nature, intensity, and sources of occupational stress among agricultural extension researchers working at regional research stations in Egypt. These professionals operate at the nexus of applied research and rural development, assuming overlapping responsibilities in research, field implementation, capacity building, and policy advising. However, institutional ambiguity, limited resources, and escalating expectations often constrain their working conditions, factors that collectively foster a high-pressure work environment. The study adopts a descriptive analytical approach, targeting a census sample of 73 researchers across three major stations. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire to capture the availability and perceived impact of various stress dimensions: organizational, personal, economic, professional growth, and health-related pressures. Findings reveal that over 90% of participants experience medium to high levels of occupational stress, with significant reported suffering. Economic pressures—particularly the cost of publishing, lack of institutional support for international dissemination, and inadequate research infrastructure—emerged as the most burdensome. Equally critical were stressors related to professional development, such as limited access to quality training and favoritism in participant selection. The results also underscore the cumulative effect of administrative ambiguity, limited autonomy, and weak internal communication as systemic stress inducers. The study concludes that occupational stress among extension researchers is not incidental but structurally embedded in the institutional framework. Addressing these pressures requires a strategic response that includes organizational restructuring, transparent policies for training and promotion, and sustainable investment in research infrastructure. This research contributes to understanding how institutional environments shape occupational well-being and research productivity in developing country contexts.