Occupational Stress and Emotional Intelligence among Greek Bank Employees

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the occupational stress experienced by bank employees in Greece and its connection with emotional intelligence and demographic factors. More specifically, the feeling of occupational stress and the level of emotional intelligence among Greek bank employees are investigated both separately and in correlation. In addition, it is investigated how demographic characteristics are likely to affect the feeling of occupational stress and the level of emotional intelligence of employees in bank institutions in Greece. In addition, the study investigates whether the individual dimensions of emotional intelligence are likely to predict the level of occupational stress experienced by Greek bank employees. The sample of the present study consisted of 192 employees of Greek banks and credit institutions. The instruments used for data collection were the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983) (Cronbach’s α =0.85) and the Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (Schuutte et al., 1998) (Chronbach’s α = 0.90). The Perceived Stress Scale consisted of 10 questions, six of which were formulated negatively and measured the level of stress experienced by the employees, while the rest four were formulated positively and measured the employees’ control of stress. The answers for the first six questions were given in a five-level likert scale: 0 = Never, 4 = Very often, while the remaining four in another five level-Likert scale: 0 = Very Often, 4 = Never. The Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test consisted of 33 questions measuring the level of the employees’ emotional intelligence. The responses were given in a five-level Likert scale: 0 = Never, 4 = Very often. The results of the study showed that occupational stress among Greek bank employees was likely to be affected by some demographic factors and partially predicted by some dimensions of emotional intelligence. However, further investigation should be carried out in the Greek population, so that the phenomenon of occupational stress is well studied and decreased.