Occupational stress among mental health professionals. The relationship between work and recreational pursuits.

A sample of 111 medical and allied staff in a large child and adolescent psychiatric hospital responded to a survey assessing work- and leisure-related attitudes. Gender, marital status, parenthood, and length of employment were among the demographic variables found to be associated with various facets of occupational stress and job satisfaction. Men were somewhat more stressed, complained more about their relationships with coworkers and displayed greater 'negative spill' than women; Married employees were particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of work; Parenthood had little effect on work-related stress, although there is some indication that being a mother prevented one recuperating as effectively as desired during leisure-time; and tenure of employment at the hospital was related to increased feelings job pressure without affecting job satisfaction levels, and to lower levels of career motivation. The implications of these findings are discussed: Suggestions are provided for improving working climate and job satisfaction amongst mental health professionals.