Abstract:
The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to examine the job stress and its related factors among spa therapists in Phuket province. This study employed stage 4 of PRECEDE framework as predisposing factors (age, education, monthly incomes, spa experience, current illness, muscle pain related to work, working hours, stress management and job security), enabling factor (work environment) and reinforcing factor (social support) to examine factors related to job stress. Samples were spa therapists from 9 spa businesses in Phuket province. Data collection was done between June and August 2014 by postal mailed questionnaire. Two hundred and forty-six copies were returned and 202 copies were completed for data analyses. The results revealed that the average age of participants was 36.15 years old and more than half of them aged between 31- 45 years old. They mostly had muscle pain related to work (71.3%) and usually performed stress management (96.5%). Half (55%) of spa therapists had low job demand and (57.9%) had low job control. Majority of spa therapists had low job stress level (70.8%). When the job stress was classified based on Karaseks Demand-Control Model into 4 groups. Most spa therapists had high-strain group (29.2%), then passive group (28.7%), low-strain group (23.3%), and active group (18.8%). The only factor significantly associated with job stress was job security (p < 0.05). Recommendations were that spa administrators should increase the welfare for spa therapists and improve ergonomic work stations for spa therapists. In addition promoting exercise for alternative spa therapists recreation activity was also considered.