Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Athletic Training

First Advisor

Catherine L. Stemmans

Second Advisor

Christopher D. Ingersoll

Third Advisor

John R. Storsved

Abstract

Objective: In a college/university setting, certified athletic trainers (ATCs) may have sport coverage, classroom teaching, and clinical instructor responsibilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the most important predictors of perceived stress and work-related strain among ATCs in a college/university setting, how athletic level affected perceived stress and work-related strain, and if the perceived stress score correlated with the work-related strain score. Design and Setting: This study was a webbased survey consisting of demographic and job responsibility questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Work-Related Strain Inventory (WRSI). To evaluate predictors of perceived stress and work-related strain, step-wise multiple regression was used. The independent variables were time commitment, years of experience, sport coverage, clinical responsibility, professional support, teaching responsibility, and clinical instructor responsibility. The dependent variables were PSS and WRSI scores. To evaluate athletic level, a 1 x 4 factorial design was used. The independent variable was athletic level with the four levels (NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA). The dependent variables were PSS and WRSI scores. The correlation between PSS and WRSI scores was evaluated. Subjects: 1,137 certified athletic trainers of 13,591 certified members participated in this study. This produced a response rate of 8.4%. Of theses respondents, 330 certified athletic trainers (186 male, 144 female) employed at a college/university setting with age 33.08 ± 8. 02 and with sport coverage and clinical responsibility were selected for all analyses. lV Measurement: Seven factors were measured as follows: Experience (years since National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification), sport coverage (the number of sports covered), clinical instructor responsibility (the number of undergraduate students supervised), teaching responsibility (the number of credit hours teaching per semester), professional support (the number of full-time and part-time ATCs), time commitment (hours worked last week), and clinical responsibility (the number of athletes/patients cared last week). Results: There was a significant predictive relationship found among years of experience, time commitment, and the PSS score (Adjusted R2 = .143). There was a significant predictive relationship found among time commitment, sport coverage, and the WRSI score (Adjusted R2 = .13). There was no significant difference found between athletic level and the PSS (F3, 326 = 1.018, P = .385) or the WRSI score (F3, 326 = .876, P = .454). The relationship between the PSS and WRSI was highly correlated (r = . 767) Conclusions: Time commitment was the predictive factor that causes both perceived stress and work-related strain. Worked-hours should be carefully managed because it is very critical for ATCs to manage and prevent stress and burnout in their profession.

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