Job Stress in Shahrekord University Staff: Predictive Role of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Differentiation

Abstract

Background: Job stress is one of the common problems in occupational environments. Therefore, the present study aimed to predict job stress in Shahrekord University staff based on emotional intelligence and self-differentiation. Methods: This was a descriptive study. The study population consisted of Shahrekord University staff. A total of 168 staff were selected by convenience sampling and then evaluated using Rice Job Stress, Bar-On Emotional Intelligence, and Skoweron self-differentiation indicators. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), Pearson’s correlation coefficient as well as multiple linear regressions. Results: Pearson’s correlation results showed that a significant negative relationship between emotional intelligence and job Stress (P<0.001, r= - 0.256), and self-differentiation with job stress (P<0.001, r= -0.315). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that emotional intelligence (P<0.001, B= - 0.292) and self-differentiation (P<0.001, B= -0.336) are predictive of job stress and explain 15/7% of variation of staff’s job stress. Conclusion: Regarding the inverse relationship between job stress and emotional intelligence and self-differentiation, by presenting and implementing various management solutions and identifying effective factors in improving the emotional intelligence and differentiation, job stress can be reduced which will lead to increased productivity.

Keywords

• Emotional Intelligence
• Job Stress
• Self-Differentiation
• Shahrekord University