How does job stress affect workers aged 25 to 45 in the service sector in Dublin?

Abstract

The research sought to answer the question How does job stress affect workers aged 25 to 45 in the service sector in Dublin? This issue has drawn attention owing to high turnover rates caused by mental health concerns within the sector, a large contributor to the Irish economy. Exploring this age group provided insights into how young adults are coping with increasing stress levels in the urban service environment. To respond to the question posed, a quantitative approach was adopted. A structured survey was sent out to service workers in Dublin to gather information on stressors, levels of control, job satisfaction, productivity, coping strategies, and the impact of Dublin-specific conditions. The analyses were triangulated with existing literature and theoretical frameworks such as Karasek's Demand-Control model and Lazarus's theory of stress. Results indicated that most of the participants were experiencing at least moderate stress, with stressors identified primarily as workload, lack of recognition, and little support from management. Stress was found to correlate very well with job satisfaction and productivity, with many respondents taking time off or contemplating quitting. Flexibility and reward systems seemed to be quite effective as coping mechanisms; however, access to these has been limited. The study finds that job stress significantly reduces the mental well-being and performance of workers. Practical implications indicate that employers need to provide adequate forms of organised support. The study also points to the necessity of local implementations of the global stress models. Future studies doing qualitative research or using an extensive age range are expected to garner much deeper insights.