Perceived stress, mental health attitudes, coping strategies and the use of employee assistance programmes in the education sector

Authors

Murray, Linda

Issue Date

2014

Degree

BA (Hons) in Psychology

Publisher

Dublin Business School

Rights

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Abstract

The quantitative study considered possible effects of the presence of an EAP by comparing two groups in the Education Sector, with (n=205) and without (n= 40) an EAP available to them. A between groups survey design was used comprising the Perceived Stress Scale, Community Attitudes to Mental Illness and the Brief Cope. The research examined possible effects on levels of perceived stress and attitudes towards mental illness. The study also assessed gender differences in willingness to engage in the use of an EAP and the possible relationship between high levels of perceived stress and maladaptive coping style. The study reported no significant differences existing with regard to willingness of use between genders. No significant differences were found in perceived stress levels and an ambiguous result was found in relation to attitudes to mental illness. Significant results were observed in the relationship between maladaptive coping styles and high perceived stress levels.

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