JOB STRESS AMONG BRITISH GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS - PREDICTORS OF JOB DISSATISFACTION AND MENTAL ILL-HEALTH

Questionnaires assessing levels of job satisfaction, mental well-being and sources of stress were distributed to a random sample of 850 gene ral practitioners (GPs) in England. The final sample size was 414. Com pared to a normative sample, male GPs exhibit significantly higher lev els of anxiety, whereas female GPs compare favourably to the populatio n norms. Job satisfaction levels among male and female GPs were signif icantly lower than when they were measured in 1987. Multivariate analy sis revealed five major stressors that were predictive of high levels of job dissatisfaction and negative mental well-being; these were prac tice administration and demands of the job, interference with family a nd social life, routine medical work, interruptions and working enviro nment. In addition, emotional involvement and type A behaviour were pr edictive of lack of mental well-being. It is concluded that there may be substantial benefit in providing training in management skills and introducing a stress management programme for GPs.