Sources of occupational stress and their impact on the health of Faculty in Colombia

Introduction
Because of little research about occupational stress on faculty, the aims of this study were three fold: 1) to identify the prevalence of work-related psychosocial risk factors among the faculty in the universities of Bogotá; 2) to examine the relationship of these exposures to the health and well-being of the faculty assessed by the prevalence of burnout, anxiety, depression, psychosomatic symptoms, social adjustment and high blood pressure among them and 3) to identify moderator variables of the relationship between psychosocial risk factors and the above health indicators.

Methods
302 faculties participated voluntarily in a cross-sectional survey administered on the web. The survey consisted of a questionnaire asking for demographic and job data, job satisfaction and intentions to leave or change academic career; psychosocial factors specific to the academic context; the JCQ, and the ERI; the MBI-G (burnout) and the GHQ-28 (General Health Questionnaire). In addition, weight and blood pressure were measured at the workplaces (the latter measured six times during the day using wrist monitors).

Results
Compared with other groups in Colombia working conditions of faculty are characterized by less job strain; but high perceptions of job insecurity, high work load and job demands. The mental health problems of the faculty are predicted by lack of control, high effort, job insecurity and over-commitment. Women and younger faculty are at greater risk. Overall, job satisfaction and perception of good health have decrease in the last five years. Blood pressure was only predicted by cynicism.

Discussion
The prevalence of distress is not very high among faculties; but when they report job insecurity, job strain, high effort, work load and demands, lack of control and over-commitment the likelihood of burnout and distress is high. We suggest that identified psychosocial factors are related to increased difficulties to obtain a tenured position and perform well today in Universities