Abstract

Background and Objective: Mental health is defined as social coordinated behavior and adapted ability with social realities. Occupational stress is introduced as one of the strongest factors in the development of mental disorders. The effect of occupational stress on health care workers is significant. The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between occupational stress and mental health of Surgical Technologists and Technicians of operating room section.

Methods: In this correlative descriptive study, all of the surgical technologists in Bojnurd Hospitals were selected through purposive sampling method. To record data, GHQ-28 and Hospital Stress Scale questionnaires were used. In both questionnaires, the higher scores were indicated the worst conditions. For data analysis, statistical tests such as Chi-square, independent t-test were performed using SPSS.

Findings: The mean score of occupational stress and mental health were 104.5±12.3 and 23.3± 9.1 respectively. The results displayed that there was a positive and significant correlation between mental health and occupational stress (p=0.006, r=+0.381). Relations between occupational stress and mental health with variables such as sex, marital status, education, salary, occupational and residency status were not significant.

Conclusion: Findings show that the level of occupational stress in surgical technologist is in medium level and there is a positive relationship between occupational stress and mental health. Results; insist on the necessity for protection and rehabilitation programs to reduce the level of occupational stress.