Psychological stress among faculty members of colleges and universities: a survey study

Background: Psychological stress is a common issue among faculty members due to increasing academic, administrative, and professional responsibilities. Prolonged stress negatively affect mental well-being, job satisfaction, and work performance. Therefore, assessing the level of psychological stress among faculty members is essential for identifying the need for stress-management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the level of psychological stress among faculty members of colleges and universities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 101 faculty members from colleges and universities. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through structured online questionnaire consisting of demographic information and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 101 faculty members participated in the study. The majority of participants were above 30 years of age (46%), female (64%), worked 40-50 hours per week (41%), and possessed a master's degree (68%). Assessment of stress levels using the perceived stress scale revealed 91% of participants experienced moderate stress, 6% experienced low stress, and 3% experienced high stress. Most respondents reported experiencing stress-related feelings such as being upset unexpectedly, inability to control important things in life, nervousness, and difficulty coping "sometimes," indicating a moderate level of perceived psychological stress. Conclusions: The findings indicate that psychological stress is prevalent among faculty members of colleges and universities, with moderate stress being the most commonly reported level. These results highlight need for effective stress-management interventions and workplace wellness programs to promote psychological well-being among faculty members.