PERCEPTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS AMONG FEMALE EXECUTIVES IN THE UNITED-STATES-GOVERNMENT - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

The psychometric properties and factor structure of a 15-item self-rep orting instrument measuring perceptions of stress precipitators was in vestigated in a sample of 146 female Senior Executive Service employee s of the U.S. federal government. A four factor solution was found to best represent the sample. Additionally, cluster analysis revealed the presence of three relatively homogeneous subgroups of sample responde nts, based on the source and level of their perceived stress. It was f ound that ''concerns about one's performance'' was the highest ranked stressor, followed by concerns about work load, responsibility and aut hority ambiguities, and the fear of making the wrong decision. The clu ster analysis resulted in three groups of stress patterns. The highest stress group included women who put the job above all else, the secon d highest group had a high propensity for job achievement, and the low est stress group represented women who placed a high emphasis on self- actualization and ''out-side'' job considerations.