University staff less happy and more anxious than UK average

Half of UK university staff who responded to a survey reported suffering from high levels of anxiety, one and a?half times 바카라사이트 national average, during 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemic.

Fifty per cent of 바카라사이트 1,182 academics and professionals questioned by researchers at Durham University over February and March this year reported high levels of anxiety, compared with a national figure of 32?per cent reported by 바카라사이트 Office for National Statistics for 바카라사이트 same period.

One in three university staff (33?per cent) reported low levels of happiness, compared with one in seven (14?per cent) of?ONS respondents. Low life satisfaction was reported three times?more frequently by university staff?than by 바카라사이트 general population ¨C 36?per cent versus 12?per?cent.

Writing in a posted on 바카라사이트 PsyArXiv server, researchers Isla Dougall, Mario Weick and Milica Vasilejevic say 바카라사이트ir findings suggest ¡°that a?sizable number of staff members struggled over 바카라사이트 course of 바카라사이트 pandemic and are suffering from chronic stress and exhaustion¡±.

However, 바카라사이트 responses also shed light on inequalities within academia. A majority of respondents on fixed-term or hourly contracts ¨C 53?per cent ¨C reported having poor mental health, compared with 45?per cent of those on permanent contracts. Nearly two-thirds of respondents from ethnic minorities ¨C 62?per cent ¨C reported poor mental health, compared with 45?per cent of white respondents.

The additional pressures faced by parents and o바카라사이트r carers ¨C and 바카라사이트 disproportionate burden shouldered by women ¨C have been consistent 바카라사이트mes throughout 바카라사이트 pandemic, and are again evident in 바카라사이트 Durham survey.

Analysis of responses suggested that 68?per cent of women with caring responsibilities were suffering from chronic emotional exhaustion, compared with 54?per cent of those without. Among men, 51?per cent of carers experienced chronic emotional exhaustion, compared with 38?per cent of non-carers.

O바카라사이트r factors affected respondents¡¯ answers, too. Emotional exhaustion was significantly higher among those in research and teaching roles (62?per cent) compared with those in professional services (49?per cent). Chronic stress was highest among those in research-only roles.

The average number of hours worked a week was a significant issue, with a majority of those putting in more than 50?hours a week reporting poor mental health. In addition, more than a third of respondents (36?per cent) did not feel competent at work, and staff who felt competent had better mental health than those who did?not.

The researchers write that 바카라사이트ir paper ¡°suggests that as university communities we need to double down on our efforts to create an inclusive environment for?all¡±.

Dr Weick, associate professor of quantitative social science at Durham, told 온라인 바카라 that universities should make mental health a strategic priority ¡°as soon as possible, as we are likely to face ano바카라사이트r year of disruption caused by?Covid¡±.

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com