Perceived Stress as Mediator for Adjustment Problems and Job Satisfaction among Employees

Abstract

The primary objective is to compare the level of perceived stress, adjustment issues such as depression, anxiety, and conduct problems, along with job satisfaction among employees working in various organizations. In this cross-sectional research, doctors, teachers, bankers, and soldiers were approached in hospitals, schools, banks, and army units, respectively, situated in Gujrat, Jhelum, and Kharian. A sample of 160 working individuals with the age range between 21 to 59 years (males=116 and females=44) were selected by purposive sampling. We used Urdu versions of the Perceived Stress Scale by Tahira and Kausar (2013), the Scale of Adjustment Problems for Adults (SAPA, Naz, Bano, & Laghari, 2018), and the Job Satisfaction Survey by Shahzad (2010) to collect the data. The results revealed a significant negative correlation between perceived stress, adjustment problems, and job satisfaction. However, a significant positive correlation was observed between perceived stress and employee adjustment problems. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed perceived stress as a complete mediator between adjustment problems and employee job satisfaction. Bankers have been found to suffer from high stress and adjustment problems, whereas teachers seem to have the lowest job satisfaction. Implications are discussed in the light of the research findings.