Stress: Professional Development Needs Of Extension Faculty

Abstract

This study was designed to identify workplace and individual factors that cause stress in the lives of Extension professionals and to determine baseline needs assessment data for professional development in the area of balancing work and family. A census-survey questionnaire (74% response rate) was utilized to explore balancing work and personal life issues among the population of University of Florida Extension faculty. It was found that some faculty have stress under control while others are experiencing high levels of stress; county faculty perceived slightly higher stress than state faculty but this difference was not significant. Respondents reporting greater use of formal planning, planning for meetings, and "to do" lists tended to have lower stress scores. For Extension faculty, spending more time with family served as a coping mechanism for minimizing stress. Any stress inducing situations disclosed in this study can be improved upon through proactive professional development. Professional development programs and inservice training focusing on workday planning may help faculty cope with the stress and pressure of an Extension career. Greater organizational effectiveness can be achieved through employees being able to manage stress and work pressure via positive workplace skills.