Impact of Occupational Stressors on Healthcare Workers in Federal Psychiatric Hospital Calabar, Cross River State.

Abstract

 The study examined the impact of occupational stressors on healthcare workers at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Occupational stress among healthcare workers in the hospital is widespread, often severe, and remains largely inadequately addressed despite the demanding nature of psychiatric healthcare. Staff are routinely exposed to numerous occupational hazards that reflect the realities of mental health service delivery. A survey research design with a quantitative approach was adopted, while stratified random sampling was used for data collection. Regarding the nature and types of workplace stressors, 21.2% of respondents reported "No experience", whereas 80% indicated notable "Experience" of workplace stressors. A high-stress work environment constituted the leading stress-inducing factor, accounting for 12.6%. Concerning the impact of staff shortages on service delivery, 29.1% identified staff shortages as a major challenge, while 31.1% reported experiencing high levels of psychological stress. Burnout was identified as the primary consequence by 28.5% of respondents. The findings further revealed that excessive workload, administrative responsibilities, and frequent exposure to aggressive patients contribute substantially to occupational stress. Inadequate staffing, shortages of medical supplies, and limited access to essential equipment further compromise healthcare delivery and leave many professionals overwhelmed by increasing patient demands, creating critical service gaps. The study recommends that hospital management implement comprehensive stress management programs, reduce excessive workloads to minimize burnout, recruit additional staff to address workforce shortages, and improve funding to ensure the adequate provision of medical supplies and essential equipment needed for effective healthcare delivery.