Job Satisfaction and Mental Health among ICDS Workers in Srinagar

Scholarly Journal of Scientific Research and Essay (SJSRE) Vol. 4(1), pp. 1-7, January 2015 Available online at http://www.scholarly-journals.com/sjsre ISSN 2315-6163 2015 Scholarly-Journals Full Length Research Paper Job Satisfaction and Mental Health among ICDS Workers in Srinagar Nilofer Khan Institute of Home Science and Dean Students Welfare University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, India. Email: profniloferku@gmail.com Accepted 8 December, 2014 The present study was conducted to assess the job satisfaction and mental health of ICDS workers in Srinagar. The sample of 50 ICDS workers were selected from different Anganwadi centers located in Srinagar and random technique of sample selected was used to ensure that every unit of the population would equal chance of selection. The investigator two standardized tools to collect the data from the field. The study revealed that the ICDS workers were having good mental health but were dissatisfied with the both concrete and abstract component of Job satisfaction. Key word: Job Satisfaction, Mental Health, Anganwadi Workers. INTRODUCTION Job satisfaction is very complex and comprehensive phenomena, it refers to the satisfaction of a worker in his work it can hardly be seen in isolation from life situation. Job satisfaction is widely accepted psychological aspects of functioning in any profession. The credit of bringing this term into currency goes to Hopper. He reviewed a little over 30-contemperary studied and concluded that there was much opinion about job satisfaction, yet there was not much factual work done in the field. Job satisfaction involves liking for the work and acceptance of the pressures and aspirations connected with that work. Job satisfaction is most adequately conceptualized as a personalistic evaluation of conditions exiting on the job. (Work, Supervision) or outcomes that arise as a result of having a job (Pay, Security) Job satisfaction is the perception of internal responses i.e. feelings (Scheneider and Snyder. Glimmer is of the opinion that job satisfaction or dissatisfaction is the result of various attitudes the person holds towards his job towards the related factors and life in general. Blum and Naylor state job satisfaction is the result of various attitudes possessed by an employee. In a narrow sense, their attitudes are related to the job and are concerned with such specific factors as wages, supervision, and steadiness of employment, conditions of north, opportunities for advancement, recognition of ability, fair evaluation of work, social relations on the job, prompt settlement of grievances, fair treatment by employees and other similar factors. However, other aspects such as employee s age, health, temperament and level of aspiration should be considered. Again his family relationships, social status and activities in organizations like labor, political or social contribute ultimately to job satisfaction. Job satisfaction can also be seen within the broader context of the range of issues which affect an individual s experience of work, or their quality of working life. Job satisfaction can be understood in terms of its relationships with other key factors, such as general wellbeing, stress at work, control at work, home-work interface and working conditions. Mental health is a pretty broad term. Some use it as a simple synonym to describe our brain s health. Others use it more broadly to include our psychological state. Mental health describes our social, emotional and psychological states, all wrapped into one. Mental health is an individual and personal matter. It involves a living human organism or, more precisely, the condition of an individual human mind. Mental health may be defined as the adjustment of a person to himself and the world at a large with the maximum of effectiveness, satisfaction and cheerfulness. Mental health is an ideal conception, the precise definition of which varies among mental health professionals. Most definitions encompass the positive qualities of the development of identity, achievement of competence in work and a striving for self-actualization as well as absence of abnormal behavior. Therefore, a person must be free from temper, have a control over

Scholarly J. Sci. Res. and Essay 2 Table 1: Age and Martial Status of the Respondents. Age in years Unmarried Married Widow Divorcee Total 21-26 3 6% - - - - - - 3 26-31 - - 3 6% - - - - 3 31-36 - - 18 36% - - - - 18 36-41 - - 22 44% - - 1 2% 23 41-46 - - 3 6% - - - - 3 Total 3 46 1 50 his/her passions. A social environment or culture may be conducive either to sickness or health, but the quality produced is characteristic only of a person; therefore, it is improper to speak of a "sick society" or a "sick community." In speaking of a person's mental health, it is advisable to distinguish between attributes and actions. The individual may be classified as more or less healthy in a long-term view of his behavior or, in other words, according to his enduring attributes. Or, his actions may be regarded as more or less healthy--that is, appropriate--from the viewpoint of single, immediate, short-term situation. Standards of mentally healthy, or normal, behavior vary with the time, place, culture, and expectations of the social group. In short, different peoples have different standards. Mental health is one of many human values; it should not be regarded as the ultimate good in itself. No completely acceptable, all-inclusive concept exists for physical health or physical illness, and, likewise, none exists for mental health or mental illness. A national program against mental illness and for mental health does not depend on acceptance of a single definition and need not await it. Many scientific investigators have thought about the psychological content of positive mental health. A review of their contributions reveals six major approaches to the subject. Attitudes of the individual toward himself; Degree to which person realizes his potentialities through action; Unification of function in the individual's personality; Individual's degree of independence of social influences. How the individual sees the world around him. Ability to take life as it comes and masters it. Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. (WHO). Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. MATERIAL AND METHODS A study of Job satisfaction and Mental health among (ICDS) Anganwadi workers was undertaken to assess whether Anganwadi workers are satisfied with their jobs or not. The methodology undertaken for the study has been as follows: Data Collection: The information regarding the study was collected from two sources Primary source and Secondary Source. General Information: This section consists name, residence, age, marital status, educational qualification, religion, mother tongue, nature of family, family size, work experience, total emoluments per month, designation, location of Anganwadi centre. Job satisfaction and dissatisfaction: In this part, information was gathered regarding job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Mental satisfaction and dissatisfaction: Information was gathered regarding mental satisfaction and mental dissatisfaction among the sample. Selection of Area: While determining the location for the survey, various areas of the city lying under supervisory Zone D were undertaken for investigation. Selection of Sample: 50 Anganwadi workers were randomly selected for the purpose of study. Plan and Procedure: Data was collected from 50 Anganwadi workers. Tools used: The main tool for collection of data was questionnaire cum interview schedule. The Questionnaire was framed in simple language so that the respondents could understand it well and answer them easily. To get appropriate information from respondents the questionnaire was filled by the researcher herself. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 1 reveals that 6% of the respondents were unmarried in the age group of 21-26 years. 6% of the respondents were married in the age group of 26-31 years followed by 36% in the age group of 31-36 years. 44% were married in the age group of 36-41 years followed by 6% in the age group of 41-46 years. The analysis shows that girls get married within 36 years of age, when they are financially independent in their life. In table 2 above, it reveals that majority of the respondents (100%) were Muslim. None were Sikh and

Khan 3 Table 2: Religion of the Respondents. Qualification No. of respondents Muslim 50 100% Sikh 0 0% Hindu 0 0% Other 0 0%. Table 3: Mother-tongue of the respondents. Language No. of respondents Kashmiri 50 100% Urdu 0 0% English 0 0% Dogri 0 0% Others 0 0% Table 4: Monthly Income of the respondents. Monthly Income No. of respondents 1000-2000 - - 2000-3000 - - 3000-4000 50 100% 4000 above - - Table 5: Distance between residence and workplace (in Kms) Distance in Km No. of respondents Up to 2 23 46% 2 5 9 18% 5 7 10 20% Above 7 8 16% Table 6: Respondents receive cooperation from Cooperation from Yes No Your Colleagues 50 100% - - Anaganwadi Neighbors 46 92% 4 8% Community leaders 50 100% - - Government officers 50 100% - - Zilla Parishad Officials 50 100% - - Hindu. Table 3 revealed that all the respondents i.e 100% were speaking their own mother-tongue i.e; Kashmiri. Table 4 reveals that majority of the respondents i.e; 100% were drawing same salary Rs. 3600 per month. Table 5 shows that majority of the respondents 46% were residing at the distance of up to 2 kms, 20% were residing at the distance of 5-7 kms 18% were having a distance of 2-5 kms from between their residence and workplace while as, 16 % were residing at the distance of above 7 kms from their workplace. Table 6 reveals that majority of the respondents (100%) receive cooperation from colleagues community leaders, Government officers, Zilla parishad officials. while as 92% receive cooperation from Anganwadi neighbours and 8% do not receive cooperation from them. Table 7 shows that all the respondents i.e; (100%) receive respectful treatment from supervisors, Anganwadi visitors and Government officials Table 8 reveals that 56% of the respondents think that their job doesn t give them better social status while as 8% strongly agreed 36% were undecided. 60% disagreed that their job gives them financial independence as they were getting very meager salary and 100 % strongly

Scholarly J. Sci. Res. and Essay 4 Table 6: Respondents receive cooperation from Cooperation from Yes No Your Colleagues 50 100% - - Anaganwadi Neighbors 46 92% 4 8% Community leaders 50 100% - - Government officers 50 100% - - Zilla Parishad Officials 50 100% - - Table 7: Nature of Treatment. Received from No. of respondents Supervisors Respectful 50 100% Insulting - - Anganwadi Visitors Respectful 50 100% Insulting - - Government Officials Respectful 50 100% Insulting - - Table 8: Satisfaction of Job among Respondents. Parameters of satisfaction Gives better social status Gives financial independence Better reward for work Render service to the society Strongly agree Undecided Disagree Strongly disagree 4 8% 18 36% 28 56% - - 50 15 30% - - 30 60% 5 10% 50 4 8% - - 33 66% 13 26% 50 50 100% - - - - - - 50 Total Table 9: Satisfaction of Anganwadi Centres Parameters of Strongly Strongly Undecided Disagree satisfaction agree disagree Total Highly satisfied with the working conditions of 42 84% - - 8 16% - - 50 Anganwadi centre Happy with the job 2 4% 4 8% 37 74% 7 14% 50 Being a woman morale at work place 50 100% - - - - - - 50 is always high satisfied with the facilities provided by the Anganwadi centre 43 86% - - 7 14% - - 50 agreed with the same. Most of them do not get appropriate rewards for their work i.e; 66% while as 8% were agreed with it. And all of them were strongly agreed with the services that they are rendering to the society Table 9 depicts that majority of respondents were highly satisfied with the working conditions of the Anganwadi centre. 4% of the respondents were happy with their job where as majority of the respondents were not happy. All the respondents were strongly agree with the statement that being women morale at workplace is always high. 86% of the respondents were highly satisfied with the facilities provided by the Anganwadi

Khan 5 Table 10: Time given to Family by Anganwadi Workers Are you Yes No Total Able to keep balance between work and family 49 98% 1 2% 50 Able to spend sufficient time with family members 49 98% 1 2% 50 Figure 1: Source of Job Satisfaction. Figure 2: Job Dissatisfaction among respondents

Scholarly J. Sci. Res. and Essay 6 Figure 3: Problems in Anganwadi Centre Table 11: Response of the Respondents on Mental Health. Have you Been able to concentrate on what you are doing Felt that you are playing a useful part in things Felt capable of making decisions about things Been able to enjoy your normal day to day activities Been able to face up to your problems Been feeling reasonably happy, all things considered More so than Same as Less so Much less usual usual than usual than usual - - 40 80% 9 18% 1 2% 39 78% 11 22% - - - - 5 10% 39 78% 6 12% - - - - 29 58% 16 32% 5 10% - - 35 70% 15 30% - - - - 47 94% 3 6% - - centre, 14 % were disagreed with it. Table 11 reveals that job satisfaction to the Anganwadi workers were Job security whereas 4% of the respondents were satisfied with their designation and only 2% were satisfied with the organizational behavior. Table 10 reveals that 98% of the respondents were able to keep balance between their work and family while as, 2% were not able to do so. Majority of the respondents (98%) were able to spend sufficient time with their family members and only few of them i.e; 2% were not able to spend sufficient time with their family members. Figure 2 reveals that 86% of the Anganwadi workers think that the source of job dissatisfaction is work load whereas 3% and 4% think that source of job dissatisfaction is job insecurity and low salary. Figure 3 above depicts that majority of the workers i.e; 74% face problems in Anganwadi centres like work overload, 18% face problems due to inadequate facilities and very few of the respondents face problems due to frequent stressful situations. Table 11, reveals that 80% of the respondents are able to concentrate on what they are doing,78% felt that they are playing a useful part in things 78% felt capable of making decisions about things same as usual while as, 12% are not capable of doing so.58% of the respondents are able to enjoy their normal day to day activities,32% enjoy less than usual their normal day to day activities and very few i.e; 10% enjoy much less than usual,70% are been able to face up to their problems, 30% are not able to face up to their problems, 94% of the

Khan 7 Table 12: Response of the Respondents on Mental Health. Have you Not at all No more Rather more Much more than usual than usual than usual Lost much sleep over 50 100% - - - - - - worry Feel constantly under 47 94% - - 3 6% - - strain Felt you couldn t overcome 45 90% - - 5 10% - - your difficulties Been feeling unhappy or 50 100% - - - - - - depressed Been loosing confidence in 50 100% - - - - - - yourself Been thinking of yourself as a worthless person 50 100% - - - - - - respondents are reasonably happy while as, very few i.e;9% of them are unhappy. Table 12 above depicts that majority (100%) of the respondents do not face sleep disturbances after joining the job, very few of them i.e; 6% feel constantly under strain and 10% felt that they couldn t overcome their difficulties due to their job while as, majority of them (100%) do not feel unhappy or depressed, do not loose confidence in themselves and don t think themselves as a worthless person. REFERENCES Counts, G.E. (1988). Senior Teachers J. Appl. Psychol. 13(25): 83-85. Naidu,.K.M. (2010). Mental Health Nursing, Gennext Publication, 23 Main Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi. pp.1-9. Nobile,.J.J. (2005). The Administrative Stress and Job satisfaction levels of Arizona High School Principals: Dissertation Abstracts International. New Delhi: NCERT. 68(3):721, Pallavi, M. and Vasanthu. (2002). Influence of educated and non educated parents on mental health status of university students. Int. J. Mental Health. 5:69-70. Pravitha, P. and Mini, M.L. (2014). Role and responsibilities of Anganwadi workers and helpers Indian Streams Res. J. 4:56-58. Ramakrishnaiah, D. and Rao, D.B. (1998). Job satisfaction of college teachers, New Delhi: Discovery Publishing House, pp. 14-45. Robert, L. (2005). A Study of Job Satisfaction among High School Principals in Pennsylvania: Dissertation Abstracts International, New Delhi: NCERT. 67(8). Anupan, A. (2004). The Higher Secondary School Principals as viewed by Teachers. Teacher Bulletin.. 8(2): 30-35. Arora, R.K. (2000). Teachers anxiety at different levels of job Indian Educ. Rev. 21(2):151-157. Belasco, J.A. and Alutto, J.A. (1992): Decisional participation and teacher satisfaction, Educ. Admin. Quart. 8: 44-58. Blum, M.L. (1996): Industrial Psychology, and its Social Foundations, Blum, M.L. and Naylor, J.C. (1998): Industrial Psychology. 4 th Edition New York; Macmillan Publishing Co. Brown, F. (1983). The job satisfaction of administrators within a multiethnic steeing, ERIC, 8: 92-95.