Overview of Psychological Distress among Female Workers at PT. Jatisari Tobacco Raya, Jember, Indonesia

Abstract

In the past decade, women were found working in tobacco factories. Stress that occurs in the workplace results from emotional and physical reactions due to the failure of individuals to adapt to a work environment where there is a mismatch between expectations and reality. This study aimed to identify the psychological distress among female tobacco workers. The research design used in this research is descriptive research. The of respondents required in this study is 91 respondents. Sampling was done by using a random sampling method. The data collection tool used in this study was the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) questionnaire. The results showed that most of the respondents never experienced stress. Some respondents often experience stress with symptoms of overreaction to a situation, and some respondents experience stress all the time with symptoms of not feeling positive and experiencing shaking or tremors in their hands. Respondents who often experience anxiety feel symptoms of panic and worthlessness, and respondents who experience severe anxiety at any time feel symptoms of changes in heart rate even though they do not do physical activity (feel their heart rate increases). Lack of training and low education cause job stress for workers. Lack of placement scenarios not by the workers' abilities will make them less confident and experience difficulties dealing with situations that can cause anxiety. Women working in tobacco factories must handle the stress for their mental and physical health.