Workload Stress and Mental Health Outcomes Among University Faculty in Karnataka

Abstract

This study examines the impact of workload stress on the mental health of faculty members in universities in Karnataka, a region experiencing rapid expansion in higher education. Drawing on data from 400 faculty across public and private institutions, the research analyses stress arising from teaching, administrative, and research responsibilities and its influence on psychological distress, burnout, and job satisfaction. Using a purposive sampling method, the study employed a quantitative research design. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, independent-samples t-tests, ANOVA, and moderation analysis to explore the impact of specific workload components and demographic factors. Findings reveal that teaching and administrative duties are the most significant stressors, strongly correlated with distress and burnout, while negatively affecting job satisfaction. Demographic differences highlight that female faculty, Assistant Professors, and those in private universities are disproportionately affected, with stress effects exacerbated by structural inequities such as pay disparities, compliance-driven governance, and patriarchal norms. Moderation analysis confirms that gender, academic rank, and university type intensify the relationship between stress and adverse mental health outcomes. The findings underscore the systemic and inequitable distribution of stress in Karnataka’s higher education sector. Policy measures such as equitable workload allocation, pay parity, gender-sensitive institutional support, and protections for early-career academics are recommended to foster a healthier, more sustainable academic environment.