title: High job demands and lack of time: a future challenge in occupational therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify work-related stress factors that contributed to work-related stress among Swedish occupational therapists and to investigate the association between work-related stress, demographic factors, and perceived overall stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal questionnaire and a letter of invitation were sent to 807 Swedish occupational therapists, selected at random and representing 10% of occupational therapists working in Sweden. The response rate was 59%. A stress index presenting 49 stress factors graded on a scale from 1 (indicating no source of stress) to 6 (definitely a source of stress) was included. In addition, the level of perceived overall stress during the last two weeks was scored on a rating scale with the end points 0 (no stress) and 10 (extreme stress).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main findings indicated that lack of resources and lack of time were the main stressors. "Working at a superficial level due to lack of time" was the only variable associated with high overall stress when both work-related and personal factors were included. Professional identity and clarity concerning the role were graded low with regard to stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Work-related stress is just one aspect of the overall stress experienced but knowledge about its consequences highlights the importance of further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Department of Geriatrics, County Council of Östergötland , Linköping , Sweden.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wressle
authors.forename: Kersti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Samuelsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D018582:Sick Leave; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
keywords: postal questionnaire; professional identity; work-related stress