New York State case manager survey: urban and rural differences in job activities, job stress, and job satisfaction

Abstract

The impact of stress in the workplace on employees' well-being and effectiveness has been increasingly recognized in recent years. The purpose of this research was to study the quality of working life of case managers in urban and rural community mental health programs in New York State. The objectives were to describe specific job activities and examine differences in the perceptions of job stress and job satisfaction. Urban case managers attributed greater job stress intensity and frequency than did rural workers to stressors relating to collaborating and coordinating services. Urban case managers reported higher levels of perceived job stress due to organizational support deficits than did rural workers. No differences were found for the 2 groups on job pressure stressors. The significance of the findings for mental health agencies is discussed.