Examining Stress in Graduate Assistants: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Survey Methods
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2011
Keywords
stressors, strains, mixed methods, physical symptoms, qualitative
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689811402086
Abstract
The aim of this study was to employ qualitative and quantitative survey methods in a concurrent mixed model design to assess stressors and strains in graduate assistants. The stressors most frequently reported qualitatively were work overload, interpersonal conflict, and organizational constraints; the most frequently reported psychological strains were frustration, anger, and anxiety. The groups formed by the qualitative incident reported (e.g., work overload) partially discriminated between those scoring high versus low on the corresponding stressor scale. Finally, participants who qualitatively reported a stressor indicated more physical symptoms on a quantitative scale. The results show support for the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in stress research, as the two types of measures provided different information about stressors and strains.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Mixed Methods Research, v. 5, issue 3, p. 198-211
Scholar Commons Citation
Mazzola, Joseph J.; Walker, Erin J.; Shockley, Kristen M.; and Spector, Paul E., "Examining Stress in Graduate Assistants: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Survey Methods" (2011). Psychology Faculty Publications. 738.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/738