Occupational Stress and Socio-Demographic Characteristics on Animal Science Lecturers' Job Effectiveness in Tertiary Institutions of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was a descriptive survey conducted to investigate the influence of occupational stress and socio-demographic characteristics on Animal Science lecturers' job effectiveness in tertiary Institutions of Rivers State. Thirty-one (31) lecturers were purposively selected from all the tertiary Institutions in Rivers State. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and mean statistics. Results show that the possible causes of occupational stress among lecturers are: university work and family commitments, multiple role demand and performance pressure, academic workload, research and publication requirements, strikes and school interruption, delay and irregular payment of salary, none implementation of promotion benefits and lack of instructional facilities. Considering the relationships between stress and socio-demographic characteristics, both genders encountered psychological, emotional and physical stress. Single and married academics did not show any clear-cut distinctions on the influence of stress on them. Younger academics carry more academic workload as opposed to their senior counterparts. The stress they encounter is associated with their area of academic discipline. Consequently, stress related factors that affect their job effectiveness are: too much workload, inadequate facilities, poor interpersonal relationships, poor work environment and incentives/motivation. The recommendations posited are: the recruitment of more academic staff  to cope with the required lecturer to student ratio as prescribed by the National Universities Commission (NUC), stepping down of very strict/stiff promotion criteria for the lecturers to reduce heightened anxiety, provision of conducive teaching and learning environment and modern infrastructures, prompt and regular payment of salaries and adopting various stress coping strategies, such as, planning ahead to do particular jobs, maintaining good healthy habits, eating good food, relaxation and avoiding unnecessary psychological and emotional depressions.