Work stress and work addiction among media professions of digital media companies in Bangkok

Abstract

Background: A number of studies across the world have revealed the fact that media professions could be stressful occupations. In spite of that, the research regarding work stress among this group has not been done in Bangkok, and the studies identified work addiction are considered limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore work stress and work addiction among full-time media professions of digital media companies in Bangkok, Thailand.

Objective: To identify work stress, work addiction, and possible associated factors that could affect the work stress of media professions of digital media companies in Bangkok.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in 295 media professions from 32 digital media companies within the Bangkok area. The questionnaires included: 1) Demographic data form; 2) Work data form; 3) Work Stress Scale; 4)Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS) Thai version; 5) Social Support Questionnaire; and, 6) Work Happiness Questionnaire.The associated factors were analysed using Chi-square test. Then, the predictors of high work stress were identified by using binary logistic regression.

Results: More than half (56.3%) of the sample group had high work stress, and the average score was 53.7 ± 12.4. The associated factors with such high stress were work addiction, low-to-moderate social support, low-to-moderate work happiness, and more than 9 hours of work per day. These are also the predictors of high levels of work stress.

Conclusion: The majority of media professions of digital media companies in Bangkok had high work stress. Work addiction,low-to-moderate social support, low-to-moderate work happiness, and long working hours were greatly associated with high levels of work stress.