Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

0000-0003-0335-0367

Advisor

Swortzel, Kirk

Committee Member

Morgan, Mariah

Committee Member

Phillips, Tommy

Committee Member

Russell, Mia

Date of Degree

8-12-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Agricultural Science (Agricultural & Extension Education)

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify perceived stressors within the Mississippi State University Extension Service (MSU-ES) workplace environment and to determine the impact of these stressors on employee mental health and overall wellbeing. This study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional research design collecting data through a quantitative web-based survey developed in Qualtrics and adapted from the NIOSH Worker Wellbeing Questionnaire. To examine the research questions and hypothesis guiding this study, quantitative data were analyzed using Stata MP 19.5. After a data scrub, 213 usable responses were yielded. Associations between variables were examined using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The primary inferential statistical approach utilized Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis to evaluate the predictive relationships between workplace stressors, mental health, and overall wellbeing. Occupational (job) roles, and demographic characteristics (gender and tenure status) among Mississippi State University Extension personnel were used as control variables. Findings revealed that workplace stressors significantly and positively predicted mental health strain scores (B = 0.26, SE = 0.06, t = 4.30, p < .001, 95% CI [0.14, 0.38]), with certain job categories experiencing notably higher levels of stress than others. Workplace stressors did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with overall wellbeing (B < 0.01), (SE < 0.01), (t = 1.81), (p = .071), 95% CI [0.00, 0.01]). Collectively, these results supported the overarching hypothesis. While perceived workplace stressors did not directly impact overall wellbeing (Model 2); they did significantly increase mental health distress scores (Model 1), which in turn acts as a powerful direct negative driver of employee overall wellbeing (Model 3).

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