The occupational stress, depression and job satisfaction of health professionals in public hospitals in Greece

Background: Occupational stress is a key determinant of work efficiency. It is a universal element that transcends the sex, age, level of education or hierarchical position of the worker and touches a variety of dimensions of his-her work behavior. The link between occupational stress is also the factor of job satisfaction. This study will investigate and evaluate occupational stress and how this is correlated with the professional satisfaction of health professionals in public hospitals. Methods: This research is descriptive, cross-sectional-epidemiological, using a questionnaire, as the characteristics of a given situation were captured. The study was conducted in public hospitals in Greece, from January 2019 until September 2019. The total number of health professionals is two hundred and seventy (N=207). Results: There is substantial substantiated research evidence that high levels of occupational stress are strongly associated with low levels of self-reported health and well-being. As regards the relationship between stress, depression, anxiety, occupational satisfaction, self-esteem, work characteristics with the health care control center, there was a statistically significant positive correlation of low tension between the control-chance center with stress and negative correlation with self-esteem. Also a statistically significant positive low-tension correlation between the control-chance center, depression, and the overall score of D.A.S.S. In addition, there is a statistically significant positive correlation of weak intensity between the control center-powerful others with depression, with anxiety, but also with the overall score of D.A.S.S. Conclusions: The research findings of this study highlight the need for measures to reduce occupational stress and increase the professional satisfaction of health professionals.