Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences

Identifying Factors Affecting Job Stress among Operational Staff of the Iranian Red Crescent Society: A Qualitative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Dariush Jafarzadeh 1
Tayebe Rahimi Pordanjani 2
Ali Mohammadzadeh Ebrahimi 2

1 Research Center for Emergency and Disaster Resilience, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Bojnord, Bojnord, Iran

10.34172/jqr.1494
Abstract
Background: Rescue and relief workers are routinely exposed to stressful conditions and job demands that exceed their capacities, negatively impacting their physical, mental, and social well-being. Identifying the factors contributing to job stress in these workers is therefore crucial. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing job stress among rescue and relief workers in the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
Methods: This qualitative study employed a thematic content analysis approach. The participants were 26 operational staff members from five provinces—East Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, and Fars—selected through purposive and random sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews until data saturation was achieved. The analysis followed Graneheim and Lundman’s qualitative content analysis method.
Results: Two primary themes emerged from the analysis: organizational factors (with five subcategories: managerial, structural, job-related, perceptual, and compensation-related factors) and personality traits (with seven subcategories: conscientiousness, extraversion, emotional stability, self-efficacy, altruism, resilience, and emotional intelligence).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that organizational and personality factors significantly affect the job stress of relief and rescue personnel. It is recommended that these factors be considered when selecting Red Crescent Society volunteers and designing their training programs.

Highlights

Tayebe Rahimi Pordanjani (PubMed) (Google Scholar)

Keywords

Job stress
Rescue and relief workers
Qualitative research
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Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences
Volume 14
Pages 1-8

  • Receive Date 15 October 2024
  • Revise Date 06 March 2025
  • Accept Date 04 May 2025

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