Abstract
This cross-sectional descriptive research was carried out in January 2007 to study
the factors that affect stress and happiness in 1,426 public health personnel working in
Chachoengsao; included in the study were 1,024 community hospital staff, 59 provincial
public health officers and 343 district health officers. Happiness and stress questionnaires
were used to determine personal factors. The data were analyzed using t-test and
one- way ANOVA. The major findings showed the mean score of happiness of the sample was equal to
that of the general population (mean = 31.49) and the mean score of stress was at a
moderate level (mean = 40.61). Age, education, family incomes, workplace and kind of
services, all were factors affecting the happiness and stress at a statistically significant
level (p <.05). There were no statistically significant relationships between marriage status
and duration of work with regard to happiness and stress.
In conclusion, the sample has the same level of happiness as the general population
and stress was at a medium level. While the workplaces were related to low levels of
happiness and high stress, this factor should be analyzed further and corrected. It is
suggested that raising incomes would increase the happiness and lessen stress for these
officers, resulting in an improved quality of services.
