Job stress, psychological health, and social support of family practice residents.

Seventy-nine family practice residents were studied to test the hypotheses that the level of job stress and the level, source, and type of social support affect residents' psychological health. Self-report data were collected on measures of job stress, life stress, social support provided by three sources (supervisors, coworkers, and people outside work), and psychological health symptoms. Analysis of variance showed that high levels of job stress and/or low levels of social support were associated with a high number of reported symptoms of psychological distress. Low levels of problem-solving and of emotional support from people at and outside work also were associated with a high number of reported symptoms. The author concludes that residents who perceive high job stress and/or low social support should be identified early in their residencies so that assistance can be provided.