Assessing the impact of work-related stress (WRS) and work family interference (WFI) on the well-being of Ghanaian professional women: Who is at risk?

The purpose of the study was to investigate how work-related stress (WRS)and work family interference(WFI) affects the lives of Ghanaian professional women. The current paper focused on the impact of work-related stress and work-family interference on the well-being of Ghanaian professional women, with particular reference to those at risk.  Data was collected from Ghanaian women (N=125) in managerial positions from the education and financial sectors using a structured questionnaire.  Women’s ages ranged from 25 – 58 years (mean =36).  The data was analyzed using standard deviations means, factor analysis (for scale development), correlation analysis (Pearson’s product moment correlation) and T-tests.  The results show that Ghanaian women’s self-report of issues that affected them personally at work was the highest predictor of WRS, while time poverty, family strain, and family exhaustion were all high predictors of WFI.  Again women were more likely to report family satisfaction than job satisfaction, while reporting being more worn out than tense. Additionally the women who were most at risk were younger middle level managers, with low tenures and heavy work schedules, who had younger children living with them. Finally practical implications, possible interventions, as well as recommendations are provided.

Keywords: work-related stress, work-family interference, emotional exhaustion, worn out