More than 90% of public healthcare workers in Bahrain experience moderate to high levels of occupational stress, which leads to reduced job performance according to a new study report.
The study Occupational Stress Risk and Its Impact on Job Performance Among Bahraini Healthcare Workers cross-sectional study, was conducted by a group of researchers at the Psychiatric Hospital and Salmaniya Medical Complex Manama.
The research team, which comprised of academics Amal Alafoo, Zahra M Mohamed, Adel M Yusuf, Hajar Mubarak, Shaikha Alaradi and Anisa Al Malali, said “Healthcare professionals in Bahrain face demanding conditions, including long working hours, emotionally stressful responsibilities and critical life-threatening decisions.”
“Occupational stress has serious implications, affecting the mental and physical health of these workers and ultimately influencing their job performance.
The study used a sample size of 409 respondents from Salmaniya Medical Complex and the Psychiatric Hospital. It was conducted using a questionnaire that included 46 questions and was vetted by a focus group of 30 health workers.
The participants included doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. The roles that have limited patient exposure were excluded. The findings revealed that the majority of the participants (76.3%) reported experiencing moderate stress, suggesting that while their stress levels are moderately high, they consider it manageable. 57 participants (13.9%) reported high stress, while 40 participants (9.8%) reported low stress.
Regarding the relationship between occupational stress and job performance, the study found a strong negative correlation. As stress levels increased, job performance significantly declined. “Of the respondents, 63.1% self-reported satisfaction with their performance while 36.9% were unsatisfied.”
Overall, researchers recommend that these organisations should focus on developing targeted interventions such as resilience training, leadership development programmes and policies that promote work-life balance.
The research team said future research should explore the long-term effects of occupational stress and the effectiveness of management interventions through longitudinal studies. Investigating emerging factors, such as digital tools, team dynamics and cultural diversity, could provide deeper insights into reducing stress. Addressing these areas will support the development of evidence-based strategies for healthier and more productive healthcare workplaces.